A u t o M e t a

The 5 min meta-analysis: understanding how to read and interpret a forest plot

author: Yaping Chang, Mark R Phillips, Robyn H Guymer, et al.
country:Canada
Publication time: 2022-04
  • Title(CN):    The 5 min meta-analysis: understanding how to read and interpret a forest plot
  • Publication of journals:    Eye (Lond).
  • Year/Volume/Issue/Page:    2022/36/4/673-675
  • language:    English
  • theme:    其它
  • Study type:    Meta分析

abstract:

In the evidence-based practice of ophthalmology, we often read systematic reviews. Why do we bother about systematic reviews? In science, new findings are built cumulatively on multiple and repeatable experiments. In clinical research, rarely is one study definitive. Using a comprehensive and cumulative approach, systematic reviews synthesize results of individual studies to address a focused question that can guide important decisions, when well-conducted and current. A systematic review may or may not include a meta-analysis, which provides a statistical approach to quantitatively combine results of studies eligible for a systematic review topic. Such pooling also improves precision. A “forest plot” is a form of graphical result presentation. In this editorial, we start with introducing the anatomy of a forest plot and present 5 tips for understanding the results of a meta-analysis.

abstract(CN):

In the evidence-based practice of ophthalmology, we often read systematic reviews. Why do we bother about systematic reviews? In science, new findings are built cumulatively on multiple and repeatable experiments. In clinical research, rarely is one study definitive. Using a comprehensive and cumulative approach, systematic reviews synthesize results of individual studies to address a focused question that can guide important decisions, when well-conducted and current. A systematic review may or may not include a meta-analysis, which provides a statistical approach to quantitatively combine results of studies eligible for a systematic review topic. Such pooling also improves precision. A “forest plot” is a form of graphical result presentation. In this editorial, we start with introducing the anatomy of a forest plot and present 5 tips for understanding the results of a meta-analysis.

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