Incorrect inclusion of individual studies and methodological flaws in systematic review and meta-analysis

Ref ID 1
First Author R. Aabenhus
Journal BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
Year Of Publishing 2014
URL http://bjgp.org/content/64/622/221.2.full.pdf+html
Keywords • Error
• General medical
Problem(s) • Errors in study inclusion or omission of relevant studies
• Inadequate analysis of heterogeneity
• Errors in effect estimate calculations or data synthesis
• Data extraction errors and double counting
Article Type Editorial
Article Subtype Comment/letter
First Author Country Denmark
Aim Letter highlighting concern over one systematic review published in the British Journal of General Practice, in the November 2013 Issue.
Level of Investigation Descriptive
Summary of Findings The authors highlight concerns in the conduct of one systematic review published in the British Journal of General Practice over double counting; erroneous study inclusion; inadequate analysis of heterogeneity and error in statistical effect calculation
Number of systematic reviews included 1
Number of eligible systematic reviews assessed 1
Treatment impacted No
Treatment impacted description
Interpretation impacted No
Interpretation impacted description