title: Characteristics and Methodological Quality of Meta-Analyses on Hypertension Treatments-A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: Methodological quality of meta-analyses on hypertension treatments can affect treatment decision-making. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the methodological quality of meta-analyses on hypertension treatments. One hundred and fifty-eight meta-analyses were identified. Overall, methodological quality was unsatisfactory in the following aspects: comprehensive reporting of financial support (1.9%), provision of included and excluded lists of studies (22.8%), inclusion of grey literature (27.2%), and inclusion of protocols (32.9%). The 126 non-Cochrane meta-analyses had poor performance on almost all the methodological items. Non-Cochrane meta-analyses focused on nonpharmacologic treatments were more likely to consider scientific quality of included studies when making conclusions. The 32 Cochrane meta-analyses generally had good methodological quality except for comprehensive reporting of the sources of support. These results highlight the need for cautious interpretation of these meta-analyses, especially among physicians and policy makers when guidelines are formulated. Future meta-analyses should pay attention to improving these methodological aspects.
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.|Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.|the Hong Kong Branch of The Chinese Cochrane Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Xin Yin
authors: XY
authors: Wu
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Xin Jian
authors: XJ
authors: Du
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Robin S T
authors: RS
authors: Ho
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Clarence C Y
authors: CC
authors: Lee
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Benjamin H K
authors: BH
authors: Yip
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Martin C S
authors: MC
authors: Wong
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Samuel Y S
authors: SY
authors: Wong
authors: Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.|Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.|the Hong Kong Branch of The Chinese Cochrane Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Vincent C H
authors: VC
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents