Graphs to enhance understanding and improve interpretability of the evidence from network meta-analysis: a hands-on tutorial in STATA ***In computer lab; no need for personal laptops

Article type
Authors
Chaimani A1, Mavridis D2, Salanti G2, Higgins JP3
1Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece
2University of Ioannina, Greece
3University of Bristol, School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol, United Kingdom
Abstract
Objectives:

To present and explain a series of graphical and numerical tools that can be used in Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) in order to a) present the evidence base b) evaluate the assumptions and c) present the results. We offer STATA routines that can be used to produce the suggested graphs.

Description:

This hands-on workshop begins with a brief presentation of the NMA model, its main assumptions and we show how network meta-analysis can be performed in STATA.We introduce network plots that offer an overview of the evidence base and its characteristics. We present graphs that can be used to evaluate important assumptions of network meta-analysis; the presence of important inconsistency (disagreement between direct and indirect evidence), small-study effects (by extending the standard funnel plot) and heterogeneity (prediction plots). Finally, we discuss several graphical options for the presentation of NMA findings and for treatment ranking (such as plots of the cumulative ranking curves). STATA routines are provided for all graphical tools. Participants could bring their laptops with STATA version 9 or later installed.