Methods: Three databases including Ovid-Medline (1950 2009), Ovid-Embase (1980 2009) and Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E, 1956 2009) were searched in March 2010. The search terms were systematic reviews OR meta analysis in title, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews in publication name. The number of articles cited in each database was counted. The citations found in SCI-E were analyzed by the analysis function of ISI Web of Knowledge. Results: More than 20,000 articles were identified in each database (Table 1). Considering the overlap and complement in different databases, there were nearly 30,000 SRMAs. The fist systematic review was published in 1954 (Eichler W); and the first meta-analysis article was published in 1977 (Smith ML & Glass GV). The proportion of Cochrane systematic reviews (CSRs) was 22.4% in Medline. By analyzing articles in SCI-E, we acquired some other information: 1) The publication of SRMAs skyrocketed since 1996 (Figure 1); 2) Besides the subject of general & internal medicine, the published SRMAs mainly focused on clinical neurology, gastroenterology & hepatology, oncology, and other subjects; 3) About 60% of the article authors came from Europe. USA, UK, Canada, Netherland, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, China and Spain were the top ten high-yield counties. The proportion of CSRs in SRMAs was higher than 15% in Thailand, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, India, UK and Brazil. Conclusion: Along with the fast development of EBM, the number of SRMAs have boosted in the last 15 years. The SRMAs have played important roles in different countries and different subject areas.