Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Consistency Assumption of Network Meta-Analysis: A Simulation Study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the factors affecting consistency assumption with simulated data for network meta-analyses. Network pattern, number of studies per comparison, individual sample sizes, and probabilities event were investigated that may affect assumption. Material Methods: Data produced R 4.1.0 combination different sizes (N: 100, 150, 200), success probability three treatments (p1, p2, p3 changes in interval 0.01-0.90), comparison (M=5, M=10, M=20, M=30). Then mean standard error ratios odds (ROR) calculated this process was repeated 1,000 times. Results: We found affected inconsistency more than size N=100 N=150. Also, results indicated 200, ROR values addition other factors. Conclusion: meta-analysis is wide-spreading recent years. Therefore, it important obtain reliable providing assumptions. Especially, must be considered researchers realize study.