Effect of reporting bias on meta-analyses of drug trials: reanalysis of meta-analyses

Ref ID 469
First Author B. Hart
Journal BMJ
Year Of Publishing 2012
URL https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/344/bmj.d7202.full.pdf
Keywords Harms
Grey literature
Pharmacological
Publication bias
Problem(s) Grey literature excluded
Reliance on randomised controlled trials for harms / safety data
Number of systematic reviews included 37
Summary of Findings Inclusion of the unpublished FDA trial outcome data changed 46% of the meta-analyses to show a decrease in efficacy of the drug and 46% to show an increase in drug efficacy. One meta-analysis with an unpublished harm outcome changed to show an increase in harm from the drug. The direction of the effect of including unpublished FDA trial outcome data varied by drug and outcome.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? Yes
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? Yes