Methodological issues in meta-analyses of observational studies: the need for attention to the details

Ref ID 814
First Author E.M.H. Padrao
Journal BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA
Year Of Publishing 2022
URL https://www.bjanaesthesia.org/article/S0007-0912(22)00064-2/fulltext
Keywords Observational studies
Statistical
Error
COVID
Non-Cochrane reviews
Outcomes
Problem(s) Errors in effect estimate calculations or data synthesis
Failure to define clinically meaningful outcomes
Inclusion of observational / non-randomised studies
Number of systematic reviews included 1
Summary of Findings The authors of the letter highlight concerns with the conduct of one systematic review and meta-analysis of prone positioning in non-intubated spontaneously breathing patients in patients with COVID-19 published in 2022. These include the questionable choice of outcome and outcome measurement used in the systematic review and the use of unadjusted results from observational studies in the pooled analysis. The letter authors perform an adjusted analysis of the systematic review using only studies which adjusted for confounding which the letter authors argue leads to a more precise estimate of efficacy than the original review.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? No
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? No