title: A note regarding meta-analysis of sequential trials with stopping for efficacy.
abstract: It is shown that fixed-effect meta-analyses of naïve treatment estimates from sequentially run trials with the possibility of stopping for efficacy based on a single interim look are unbiassed (or at the very least consistent, depending on the point of view) provided that the trials are weighted by information provided. A simple proof of this is given. An argument is given suggesting that this also applies in the case of multiple looks. The implications for this are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Competence Center for Methodology and Statistics, CRP-Santé, Strassen, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Senn
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: consistency; fixed effects; information; meta-analysis; sequential analysis; weighting