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A guide to systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factor studies.

A guide to systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factor studies. Thumbnail


Abstract

Prognostic factors are associated with the risk of future health outcomes in individuals with a particular health condition or some clinical start point (eg, a particular diagnosis). Research to identify genuine prognostic factors is important because these factors can help improve risk stratification, treatment, and lifestyle decisions, and the design of randomised trials. Although thousands of prognostic factor studies are published each year, often they are of variable quality and the findings are inconsistent. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are therefore needed that summarise the evidence about the prognostic value of particular factors. In this article, the key steps involved in this review process are described.

Citation

(2019). A guide to systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factor studies. BMJ, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4597

Acceptance Date Oct 8, 2018
Publication Date Jan 30, 2019
Journal BMJ
Print ISSN 0959-8138
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4597
Keywords systematic review; meta-analysis; prognostic factor
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4597

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