Universität zu Köln

Peinemann, Frank ORCID: 0000-0002-4727-1313, Tushabe, Doreen Allen and Kleijnen, Jos (2013). Using Multiple Types of Studies in Systematic Reviews of Health Care Interventions - A Systematic Review. PLoS One, 8 (12). SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Background: A systematic review may evaluate different aspects of a health care intervention. To accommodate the evaluation of various research questions, the inclusion of more than one study design may be necessary. One aim of this study is to find and describe articles on methodological issues concerning the incorporation of multiple types of study designs in systematic reviews on health care interventions. Another aim is to evaluate methods studies that have assessed whether reported effects differ by study types. Methods and Findings: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cochrane Methodology Register on 31 March 2012 and identified 42 articles that reported on the integration of single or multiple study designs in systematic reviews. We summarized the contents of the articles qualitatively and assessed theoretical and empirical evidence. We found that many examples of reviews incorporating multiple types of studies exist and that every study design can serve a specific purpose. The clinical questions of a systematic review determine the types of design that are necessary or sufficient to provide the best possible answers. In a second independent search, we identified 49 studies, 31 systematic reviews and 18 trials that compared the effect sizes between randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, which were statistically different in 35%, and not different in 53%. Twelve percent of studies reported both, different and non-different effect sizes. Conclusions: Different study designs addressing the same question yielded varying results, with differences in about half of all examples. The risk of presenting uncertain results without knowing for sure the direction and magnitude of the effect holds true for both nonrandomized and randomized controlled trials. The integration of multiple study designs in systematic reviews is required if patients should be informed on the many facets of patient relevant issues of health care interventions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Peinemann, Frank UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-4727-1313 UNSPECIFIED Tushabe, Doreen Allen UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Kleijnen, Jos UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-469894
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0085035
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS One
Volume:	8
Number:	12
Date:	2013
Publisher:	PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
Place of Publication:	SAN FRANCISCO
ISSN:	1932-6203
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIALS; CLINICAL-TRIALS; OBSERVATIONAL DATA; MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS; THERAPY; CANCER; OUTCOMES; DESIGN; GENERALIZABILITY; CHALLENGES Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/46989