- Framework of problems / Rigorous
- No registered or published protocol
- The methodological quality and clinical applicability of meta-analyses on probiotics in 2020: A cross-sectional study
| Ref ID | 815 |
| First Author | J. Ruszkowski |
| Journal | BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY |
| Year Of Publishing | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332221008271#sec0010 |
| Keywords |
• Low methodological quality • External validity • Nutrition • Vitamins and supplements • Journalology/ Publication science |
| Problem(s) |
• Errors in effect estimate calculations or data synthesis • Reasons for excluding potentially eligible studies not provided • No registered or published protocol • Intervention not described / defined • Low methodological (AMSTAR) quality |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 114 |
| Summary of Findings | From 114 systematic reviews with meta-analyses on probiotics indexed across Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to January 2021, the overall confidence in the results was rated as “critically low” in 77% (n=88). The most prevalent flaws were lack of list of excluded studies with justification (79.8%), lack of study protocol (60.5%), and problems with appropriate results combination (54.4%). Higher Journal Impact Factor was associated with higher odds of protocol pre-registration, publishing a list of excluded studies, and performing appropriate meta-analytical methods. |
| Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | N/A |
| Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | Yes |