title: [How to read a meta-analysis?].
abstract: Meta-analysis is aimed at assessing an exhaustive, unbiased, reproducible, quantified and accurate synthesis of a research problem. It is sustained by a systematic review of the literature and has statistical particularities. Sources of error and bias are numerous. In this paper, we describe them following the methodology steps of a well-conducted meta-analysis. Causes of divergent conclusions of meta-analyses are described and illustrated with the example of cancer risk assessment in TNF inhibitor-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients. Eventually, this article provides key-points to help readers to detect sources of error and bias in meta-analyses.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, salle Le Tallec, CHU de Toulouse Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France; UMR 1027, université de Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Inserm, UMR 1027, équipe 6 « pharmacoépidémiologie, évaluation de l'utilisation et du risque médicamenteux », 31000 Toulouse cedex 9, France. Electronic address: guillaume.moulis@univ-tlse3.fr.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moulis
authors.affiliation: UMR 1027, université de Toulouse III, 31062 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Inserm, UMR 1027, équipe 6 « pharmacoépidémiologie, évaluation de l'utilisation et du risque médicamenteux », 31000 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Service de pharmacologie médicale et clinique, centre régional Midi-Pyrénées de pharmacovigilance et d'information sur le médicament, 31000 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sommet
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015982:Bias; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Critical review; Lecture critique; Meta-analysis; Méta-analyse