Systematic review and meta-analysis: Main points

Abstract

The growth of the scientific medical community publication activity has led to the emergence of large volumes of disparate, often contradictory information of varying degrees of methodological quality. In such circumstances, a single tool for processing the results of numerous clinical trials was only a matter of time, reflecting the needs of practitioners. Such a tool within the framework of the principles of evidence-based medicine was the conduct of systematic reviews, in some cases supplemented by meta-analyses. The Cochrane is now the leading scientific organization that sets the tone for all research of this kind, providing most of the research of this design every year. Without taking into account the possible negative consequences of such a monopoly, it should be noted that this organization offers a detailed algorithm for writing systematic reviews, which is in the public domain along with the necessary software. This highly transparent methodology makes writing systematic reviews a task within the reach of any professional, regardless of supervision by the Cochrane, whose guiding resource is limited. This work is based on the methodological recommendations of the Cochrane and focuses on the main stages of writing systematic reviews.