Objectives: To present and explain a series of graphical and numerical tools that can be used in network meta-analysis (NMA) in order to 1) present the evidence base, 2) evaluate the assumptions, and 3) present the results. We offer a Stata package with nine commands 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 a demonstration of 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, specifically, 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 commands are provided for all graphical tools. In order to benefit, participants will need to bring their laptops with Stata 12,13 or 14 installed.