Characteristics and Methodological Quality of Meta‐Analyses on Hypertension Treatments—A Cross‐Sectional Study |
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| Authors: | Xin Yin Wu PhD Clarence CY Lee MPH Benjamin HK Yip PhD Martin CS Wong MD Samuel YS Wong MD Vincent CH Chung PhD |
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| Institution: | 1. Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;2. Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;3. the Hong Kong Branch of The Chinese Cochrane Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China |
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| Abstract: | Methodological quality of meta‐analyses on hypertension treatments can affect treatment decision‐making. The authors conducted a cross‐sectional study to investigate the methodological quality of meta‐analyses on hypertension treatments. One hundred and fifty‐eight meta‐analyses were identified. Overall, methodological quality was unsatisfactory in the following aspects: comprehensive reporting of financial support (1.9%), provision of included and excluded lists of studies (22.8%), inclusion of grey literature (27.2%), and inclusion of protocols (32.9%). The 126 non‐Cochrane meta‐analyses had poor performance on almost all the methodological items. Non‐Cochrane meta‐analyses focused on nonpharmacologic treatments were more likely to consider scientific quality of included studies when making conclusions. The 32 Cochrane meta‐analyses generally had good methodological quality except for comprehensive reporting of the sources of support. These results highlight the need for cautious interpretation of these meta‐analyses, especially among physicians and policy makers when guidelines are formulated. Future meta‐analyses should pay attention to improving these methodological aspects. |
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