Abstract
BackgroundSingle group data present unique challenges for synthesises of evidence. Proportional meta-analysis is becoming an increasingly common technique employed for the synthesis of single group data. Proportional meta-analysis shares many similarities with the conduct and reporting of comparative, or pairwise, meta-analysis. While robust and comprehensive methods exist detailing how researchers can conduct a meta-analysis that compares two (or more) groups against a common intervention, there is a scarcity of methodological guidance available to assist synthesisers of evidence in the conduct, interpretation, and importance of proportional meta-analysis in systematic reviews.Main bodyThis paper presents an overview targeted to synthesisers of evidence and systematic review authors that details the methods, importance, and interpretation of a proportional meta-analysis. We provide worked examples of how proportional meta-analyses have been conducted in research syntheses previously and consider the methods, statistical considerations, and presentation of this technique.ConclusionThis overview is designed to serve as practical guidance for synthesisers of evidence in the conduct of proportional meta-analyses.
Highlights
Single group data present unique challenges for synthesises of evidence
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concepts of proportional meta-analysis, practical guidance for systematic reviewers including a proportional meta-analysis in their review, the statistical considerations specific to this analysis and how this format of synthesis can be utilised by systematic reviewers across different review types with different questions and indications
The pooled prevalence is 0.011, or 1.1%, indicating that of all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans conducted in the synthesised studies, 1.1% of them were terminated prematurely due to claustrophobia
Summary
Single group data present unique challenges for synthesises of evidence. Proportional meta-analysis is becoming an increasingly common technique employed for the synthesis of single group data. While robust and comprehensive methods exist detailing how researchers can conduct a meta-analysis that compares two (or more) groups against a common intervention, there is a scarcity of methodological guidance available to assist synthesisers of evidence in the conduct, interpretation, and importance of proportional metaanalysis in systematic reviews. Any dichotomous data or data that can be reported as a percentage can be included in a Barker et al BMC Medical Research Methodology (2021) 21:189 proportional meta-analysis These meta-analyses are most commonly used to quantify disease occurrence in populations to answer questions related to both the prevalence and incidence of disease and are typically presented in systematic reviews dealing with prevalence and cumulative incidence data. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concepts of proportional meta-analysis, practical guidance for systematic reviewers including a proportional meta-analysis in their review, the statistical considerations specific to this analysis and how this format of synthesis can be utilised by systematic reviewers across different review types with different questions and indications
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