The replicate variability of meta-analyses of controlled clinical trials has been assessed as a measure of scientific precision. 46 of 91 known meta-analysis papers were divided into 20 cohorts of studies of the same therapies. Ten cohorts contained meta-analyses with different statistical conclusions; 14 contained differing clinical conclusions with a wider spread than the statistically differ...

PURPOSE While individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses are considered the gold standard for meta-analysis, the feasibility of obtaining IPD may be problematic. METHODS Using data from a previous meta-analysis of 29 studies on exercise in adults with arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, the percentage of studies in which useable IPD was provided was calculated. RESULTS Eight of 29 ...

Randomized trials in which the unit of randomization is a community, worksite, school or family are becoming widely used in the evaluation of life-style interventions for the prevention of disease. The increasing interest in adopting a cluster randomization design is being matched by rapid methodological developments. In this paper we describe several of these developments. Brief mention is als...

objective: several studies have compared ferric sulfate and formocresol pulpotomy in primary molars. the results of these studies, however, could not be compared due to differences in evaluated outcomes (clinical, radiographic, or histologic) and follow up duration. the aim of the present study was a systematic review of similar studies and a metaanalysis of their results to provide the latest ...

conclusions according to the results of this meta-analysis, there was a high risk of nafld in women with pcos. we suggest evaluating patients with pcos regarding nafld. results we finally included seven eligible studies. according to chi-squared test, there was a significant heterogeneity (73.6%) between studies (p = 0.001). nafld prevalence was significantly higher in patients with pcos compar...

background:   objective: to evaluate the relative efficacy of lod and gonadotropins for infertile women with clomiphene citrate- resistant poly cystic ovary syndrome (pcos).   materials and methods: a complete electronic literature search in databases including embase, medline, cochrane library and google scholar for some specific keywords was accomplished. we contained randomized clinical tria...

abstract objective: abnormal values of the transient ischemic dilation (tid) ratio are associated with severe and extensive coronary artery disease (cad). tid can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of cad in diabetic patients. the aim of current study was to determine the pooled estimate of tid ratio in single myocardial perfusion scan in diabetic patients by a systematic review and ...

Background. Depression is one of the major public health concerns among older adults. Participation in preferred leisure activities has been found to be effective for reducing the symptoms of depression among this population. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the association between leisure participation and depression. Methods. A systematic review of Pub...

background: although, nontuberculous mycobacteria can cause disease in different organisms, they usually are not reported in most countries because scientists in general consider them as non-pathogens. but, increasing nontuberculous mycobacteria diseases occurrence has changed this belief. nevertheless, there is no meta-analysis review about prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in iran. me...