Dealing with missing standard deviation and mean values in meta-analysis of continuous outcomes: a systematic review

作者：Christopher John Weir, Isabella Butcher, Valentina Assi, Stephanie C. Lewis, Gordon D. Murray, Peter Langhorne, Marian Brady · 发表于：BMC Medical Research Methodology · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.1186/s12874-018-0483-0 · 被引用次数：437 · 研究领域：Meta-analysis and systematic reviews、Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference、Hemodynamic Monitoring and Therapy

BACKGROUND: Rigorous, informative meta-analyses rely on availability of appropriate summary statistics or individual participant data. For continuous outcomes, especially those with naturally skewed distributions, summary information on the mean or variability often goes unreported. While full reporting of original trial data is the ideal, we sought to identify methods for handling unreported mean or variability summary statistics in meta-analysis. METHODS: We undertook two systematic literature reviews to identify methodological approaches used to deal with missing mean or variability summary statistics. Five electronic databases were searched, in addition to the Cochrane Colloquium abstract books and the Cochrane Statistics Methods Group mailing list archive. We also conducted cited reference searching and emailed topic experts to identify recent methodological developments. Details recorded included the description of the method, the information required to implement the method, any underlying assumptions and whether the method could be readily applied in standard statistical software. We provided a summary description of the methods identified, illustrating selected methods in example meta-analysis scenarios. RESULTS: For missing standard deviations (SDs), following screening of 503 articles, fifteen methods were identified in addition to those reported in a previous review. These included Bayesian hierarchical modelling at the meta-analysis level; summary statistic level...