Ronald H M A Bartels1, Roland D Donk2, Wim I M Verhagen3, Allard J F Hosman4, André L M Verbeek5. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Groote Plein-zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: ronald.bartels@radboudumc.nl. 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Via Sana Clinics, Hoogveldseweg 1, 5451 AA Mill, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Neurology, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Weg door Jonkerbos 100, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Groote Plein-zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 5. Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Groote Plein-zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The results of meta-analyses are frequently reported, but understanding and interpreting them is difficult for both clinicians and patients. Statistical significances are presented without referring to values that imply clinical relevance. PURPOSE: This study aimed to use the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) to rate the clinical relevance of a meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a review of the literature. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study is a review of meta-analyses relating to a specific topic, clinical results of cervical arthroplasty. OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome measure used in the study was the MCID. METHODS: We performed an extensive literature search of a series of meta-analyses evaluating a similar subject as an example. We searched in Pubmed and Embase through August 9, 2016, and found articles concerning meta-analyses of the clinical outcome of cervical arthroplasty compared with that of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion in cases of cervical degenerative disease. We evaluated the analyses for statistical significance and their relation to MCID. MCID was defined based on results in similar patient groups and a similar disease entity reported in the literature. RESULTS: We identified 21 meta-analyses, only one of which referred to MCID. However, the researchers used an inappropriate measurement scale and, therefore, an incorrect MCID. The majority of the conclusions were based on statistical results without mentioning clinical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the articles we reviewed drew conclusions based on statistical differences instead of clinical relevance. We recommend introducing the concept of MCID while reporting the results of a meta-analysis, as well as mentioning the explicit scale of the analyzed measurement.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The results of meta-analyses are frequently reported, but understanding and interpreting them is difficult for both clinicians and patients. Statistical significances are presented without referring to values that imply clinical relevance. PURPOSE: This study aimed to use the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) to rate the clinical relevance of a meta-analysis. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a review of the literature. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study is a review of meta-analyses relating to a specific topic, clinical results of cervical arthroplasty. OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome measure used in the study was the MCID. METHODS: We performed an extensive literature search of a series of meta-analyses evaluating a similar subject as an example. We searched in Pubmed and Embase through August 9, 2016, and found articles concerning meta-analyses of the clinical outcome of cervical arthroplasty compared with that of anterior cervical discectomy with fusion in cases of cervical degenerative disease. We evaluated the analyses for statistical significance and their relation to MCID. MCID was defined based on results in similar patient groups and a similar disease entity reported in the literature. RESULTS: We identified 21 meta-analyses, only one of which referred to MCID. However, the researchers used an inappropriate measurement scale and, therefore, an incorrect MCID. The majority of the conclusions were based on statistical results without mentioning clinical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the articles we reviewed drew conclusions based on statistical differences instead of clinical relevance. We recommend introducing the concept of MCID while reporting the results of a meta-analysis, as well as mentioning the explicit scale of the analyzed measurement.
Authors: Caroline M W Goedmakers; Tessa Janssen; Xiaoyu Yang; Mark P Arts; Ronald H M A Bartels; Carmen L A Vleggeert-Lankamp Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2019-10-22 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Marloes Dankers; Marjorie H J M G Nelissen-Vrancken; Sara M K Surminski; Anke C Lambooij; Tjard R Schermer; Liset van Dijk Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2020-02-06 Impact factor: 5.810