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Meta‐analysis: its importance in cost‐effectiveness studies
Author(s) -
Simes John
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1990.tb136983.x
Subject(s) - meta analysis , protocol (science) , cost effectiveness analysis , randomized controlled trial , inclusion and exclusion criteria , computer science , selection (genetic algorithm) , activity based costing , cost effectiveness , medicine , risk analysis (engineering) , medical physics , alternative medicine , machine learning , surgery , economics , pathology , accounting
Meta‐analysis can be used in cost‐effectiveness studies when evidence from several studies is combined to identify which therapies are effective; to estimate the degree of effectiveness between alternative choices; and to estimate cost‐related outcomes as part of the costing of therapies and their sequelae. When meta‐analysis is performed it is essential that the research protocol include a clear definition of the research question, a description of the studies to be included, inclusion/exclusion criteria for selecting trials, and the methods of trial selection. Issues of bias, and statistical methods and sensitivity analyses used should also be assessed. Meta‐analysis, particularly of randomized trials, can provide a rigorous and sound approach to treatment evaluation and should be an integral part of any major cost‐effectiveness analysis.