Adverse drug reaction risks obtained from meta-analyses and pharmacovigilance disproportionality analyses are correlated in most cases

Objective We aimed at testing if a correlation between adverse drug reactions relative risks estimated from meta-analyses and disproportionality analyses calculated pharmacovigilance spontaneous reporting systems databases exist, methodological choices modify this correlation. Study design extracted (ADR) odds ratios (ORs) used as reference corresponding Reporting Odds Ratios (RORs) the WHO database according to five different designs. also bias agreement of ROR compared ORs. Results selected which displayed panel 13 ADRs. A significant for 7 out ADRs studied in primary analysis was found. The methods calculation impacted results but none systematically improved correlations. Whereas found OR ROR, poor important. Conclusion Despite large variation due specification, study provides further evidence that obtained correlate most cases, particular objective ADR not associated with underlying pathology.