High prevalence but low impact of data extraction and reporting errors were found in Cochrane systematic reviews

Ref ID 495
First Author A. P. Jones
Journal JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Year Of Publishing 2005
URL https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(05)00047-8/fulltext
Keywords • Cochrane
• Error
• Endocrinology
Problem(s) • Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews
• Data extraction errors and double counting
Article Type Empirical
Article Subtype Cross-sectional survey/Methodological systematic review
First Author Country United Kingdom
Aim To retrospectively repeat the data extraction in all systematic reviews conducted by the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group by an experienced statistician to check for errors.
Level of Investigation Analytical
Summary of Findings Errors related to data extraction and calculations were found in 59% of reviews. Errors did not lead to substantial changes in any conclusion.
Number of systematic reviews included 34
Number of eligible systematic reviews assessed 42
Treatment impacted Yes
Treatment impacted description All data-handling errors led to changes in the summary results, but none of them affected review conclusions.
Interpretation impacted No
Interpretation impacted description