Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The meta-analyses (MAs) are always regarded as the best evidence resource and recommended to guide clinical practice and decision making. But inadequate reporting and low methodological quality would influence the reliability and validity of MAs.
Objectives: The present study was designed to assess the reporting and methodological quality of paired-MAs related to interventions published in two high-impact factor surgery journals, including Annal of Surgery (Ann Surg) and British Journal of Surgery (Br J Surg).
Methods: Studies published in Ann Surg and Br J Surg journals were searched on January 15, 2020 through PubMed database from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. The search terms were as follows: “Ann Surg [Journal]” OR “Br J Surg [Journal]”. All records were downloaded from PubMed and imported into Endnote X9 software, then two independent authors read each title, abstract, full-text and selected paired-MAs. Data from included paired-MAs will be extracted separately and cross-checked. The characteristics of the data included: name of first author, number of authors, year of publication, journal, funding, sample size, number of included primary studies, number of included RCTs, type of diseases, details of intervention and control, outcomes, effect size, confidence interval, conclusion and contents related to AMSATR-2 and PRISMA. Two independent authors will assess the reporting and methodological quality of included paired-MAs using PRISMA and AMSTAR-2 tools. Any disagreements will be dissolved through discussion. The descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) and radar map will be used to present results. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis will also be used to explore basic characteristics (such as, number of authors, year of publication, journal, funding, sample size, etc.) whether are associated with the reporting quality and methodological quality. Spearman rank correlation coefficient will be used to evaluate the correlation between methodological quality and reporting quality. The evidence mapping will be created to show the plausible benefits or harms of surgical interventions. All data analyses will be performed using Excel 2019 (Microsoft, WA, USA) and SPSS version 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Statistical significance will be defined as two sided P
Objectives: The present study was designed to assess the reporting and methodological quality of paired-MAs related to interventions published in two high-impact factor surgery journals, including Annal of Surgery (Ann Surg) and British Journal of Surgery (Br J Surg).
Methods: Studies published in Ann Surg and Br J Surg journals were searched on January 15, 2020 through PubMed database from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. The search terms were as follows: “Ann Surg [Journal]” OR “Br J Surg [Journal]”. All records were downloaded from PubMed and imported into Endnote X9 software, then two independent authors read each title, abstract, full-text and selected paired-MAs. Data from included paired-MAs will be extracted separately and cross-checked. The characteristics of the data included: name of first author, number of authors, year of publication, journal, funding, sample size, number of included primary studies, number of included RCTs, type of diseases, details of intervention and control, outcomes, effect size, confidence interval, conclusion and contents related to AMSATR-2 and PRISMA. Two independent authors will assess the reporting and methodological quality of included paired-MAs using PRISMA and AMSTAR-2 tools. Any disagreements will be dissolved through discussion. The descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) and radar map will be used to present results. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis will also be used to explore basic characteristics (such as, number of authors, year of publication, journal, funding, sample size, etc.) whether are associated with the reporting quality and methodological quality. Spearman rank correlation coefficient will be used to evaluate the correlation between methodological quality and reporting quality. The evidence mapping will be created to show the plausible benefits or harms of surgical interventions. All data analyses will be performed using Excel 2019 (Microsoft, WA, USA) and SPSS version 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). Statistical significance will be defined as two sided P