Addressing missing participant data in systematic reviews: dichotomous outcomes – Part 1

Article type
Authors
Akl EA1, Ebrahim S2, Johnston B3, Alonso P4, Briel M5, Cook DJ2
1American University of Beirut, Lebanon
2McMaster University, Canada
3Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Canada
4Iberoamerican Cochrane Center, Spain
5Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
Abstract
Objectives:

To describe how to use an innovative approach to addressing missing participant data for dichotomous outcomes in systematic reviews of randomized trials.

Description:

The workshop will consist of the following: (1) A didactic presentation of methods being used by SRs for dealing with and judging risk of bias associated with missing participant data (10 minutes). (2) An interactive presentation of the proposed approach: for the primary analysis, we propose either a complete-case analysis or making plausible assumptions about the outcomes of participants with missing data. The sensitivity analyses may use relatively extreme assumptions that vary in plausibility. More plausible assumptions draw on the outcome event rates within the trial or in all trials included in a meta-analysis. We will also discuss how to judge risk of bias associated with missing participant data (20 minutes). (3) A hands-on exercise will cover conducting primary and sensitivity analyses (using an Excel sheet), and judging the risk of bias. The participants will use their own laptops. They may bring their own data or use data provided by facilitators (40 minutes). (4) An open discussion of the advantages and limitations of the proposed approach (15 minutes) Project funded by the Cochrane Methods Innovation Fund.