Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux
There are many ongoing controversies surrounding vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). These include variable aspects of this common congenital anomaly. Lack of evidence-based recommendations has prolonged the debate. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MA) are considered high-level evidence. The pur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2008-01-01
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| Series: | Advances in Urology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/295492 |
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| author | K. Afshar A. E. MacNeily |
| author_facet | K. Afshar A. E. MacNeily |
| author_sort | K. Afshar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There are many ongoing controversies surrounding vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). These include variable aspects of this common congenital anomaly. Lack of evidence-based recommendations has prolonged the debate. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MA) are considered high-level evidence. The purpose of this review article is to summarize and critically appraise the available SR/MA pertaining to VUR. We also discuss the strength and pitfalls of SR/MA in general. A thorough literature search identified 9 SRs/MAs relevant to VUR. Both authors critically reviewed these articles for contents and methodological issues. There are many concerns about the quality of the studies included in these SRs. Clinical heterogeneity stemming from different patient selection criteria, interventions, and outcome definitions is a major issue. In spite of major advances in understanding different aspects of VUR in the last few decades, there is a paucity of randomized controlled trials in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3bc4cfcd9f0c48c8b8d84f8917f84fe9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-6369 1687-6377 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2008-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advances in Urology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3bc4cfcd9f0c48c8b8d84f8917f84fe92025-08-20T02:08:16ZengWileyAdvances in Urology1687-63691687-63772008-01-01200810.1155/2008/295492295492Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral RefluxK. Afshar0A. E. MacNeily1Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC, V5Z 1M9, CanadaDepartment of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver BC, V5Z 1M9, CanadaThere are many ongoing controversies surrounding vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). These include variable aspects of this common congenital anomaly. Lack of evidence-based recommendations has prolonged the debate. Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analysis (MA) are considered high-level evidence. The purpose of this review article is to summarize and critically appraise the available SR/MA pertaining to VUR. We also discuss the strength and pitfalls of SR/MA in general. A thorough literature search identified 9 SRs/MAs relevant to VUR. Both authors critically reviewed these articles for contents and methodological issues. There are many concerns about the quality of the studies included in these SRs. Clinical heterogeneity stemming from different patient selection criteria, interventions, and outcome definitions is a major issue. In spite of major advances in understanding different aspects of VUR in the last few decades, there is a paucity of randomized controlled trials in this field.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/295492 |
| spellingShingle | K. Afshar A. E. MacNeily Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux Advances in Urology |
| title | Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux |
| title_full | Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux |
| title_fullStr | Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux |
| title_short | Strengths and Pitfalls of Meta-Analysis Reports in Vesicoureteral Reflux |
| title_sort | strengths and pitfalls of meta analysis reports in vesicoureteral reflux |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/295492 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kafshar strengthsandpitfallsofmetaanalysisreportsinvesicoureteralreflux AT aemacneily strengthsandpitfallsofmetaanalysisreportsinvesicoureteralreflux |