Background: Network meta-analysis (NMA) has been rapidly growing popularity and influence. Currently, two approaches - GRADE system and CINeMA framework - are available to rate the certainty of NMA. A study applying GRADE to a network meta-analysis of antidepressants showed that application of GRADE highlighted varying evidence certainty, led to more conservative conclusions, and potentially avoided unwarranted strong inferences based on low certainty evidence. However, the advantage and disadvantage of these two approaches remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aims to perform an empirical study to compare the differences between the results of these two approaches in rating the certainty of network meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed systematic survey of the literature and included a sample of NMA of randomized controlled trails that used GRADE system or/and CINeMA approach to rate the certainty of network meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently screened the title and abstract, and further screened the full-text to identify eligible studies. Eligible studies have to meet the following criteria: 1) use GRADE system or/and CINeMA approach to rate the certainty of network meta-analysis; 2) provide enough information to re-assess the certainty of network meta-analysis evidence; 3) provide enough data to re-run the meta-analysis. We will rated the certainty of evidence using GRADE system or/and CINeMA platform to compare the differences of the results and advantage and disadvantage between above two approaches.
Results: This study is ongoing and results will be presented at Colloquium as available.

Conclusions:This study is ongoing and results will be presented at Colloquium as available.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Not applicable