Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

Douglas G. Altman, Julian P. T. Higgins, Jonathan J Deeks, Jonathan A C Sterne, David Moher, Jennifer Tetzlaff, John P. A. Ioannidis, Petra Macaskill, Christopher H. Schmid, Alex J. Sutton, Sue Duval, James R. Carpenter, Roger Harbord, Gerta Rücker, Guido Schwarzer, J. Lau, Norma Terrin, David R. Jones, Judith Peters

2011-07-22

SCID: 54.1/z4aj2562

Abstract (AI)

Funnel plots, and tests for funnel plot asymmetry, have been widely used to examine bias in the results of meta-analyses. Funnel plot asymmetry should not be equated with publication bias, because it has a number of other possible causes. This article describes how to interpret funnel plot asymmetry, recommends appropriate tests, and explains the implications for choice of meta-analysis model

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DOI

10.1136/bmj.d4002

Publication Date

2011-07-22

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Authors

Douglas G. Altman

Julian P. T. Higgins

Jonathan J Deeks

Jonathan A C Sterne

David Moher

Jennifer Tetzlaff

John P. A. Ioannidis

Petra Macaskill

Christopher H. Schmid

Alex J. Sutton

Sue Duval

James R. Carpenter

Roger Harbord

Gerta Rücker

Guido Schwarzer

J. Lau

Norma Terrin

David R. Jones

Judith Peters

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