The case of the misleading funnel plot

Ref ID 472
First Author J. Lau
Journal BMJ
Year Of Publishing 2006
URL https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570006/pdf/bmj33300597.pdf
Keywords Publication bias
General medical
Problem(s) Poor consideration of publication bias
Number of systematic reviews included 13
Summary of Findings The authors highlight that funnel plots are promoted by the Cochrane handbook as a method for assessment of publication bias. However several examples from published systematic reviews discussedby the authors indicate that they are frequently deployed when too few studies or underpowered studies are included in order for such a visual inspection to be meaningful and often that publication bias is erroneously concluded or discounted on the basis of funnel plots. Specific examples are cited within the editorial.
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