PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A K Akobeng
TI  - Understanding systematic reviews and meta-analysis
AID  - 10.1136/adc.2004.058230
DP  - 2005 Aug 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 845--848
VI  - 90
IP  - 8
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/845.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/90/8/845.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child2005 Aug 01; 90
AB  - This review covers the basic principles of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The problems associated with traditional narrative reviews are discussed, as is the role of systematic reviews in limiting bias associated with the assembly, critical appraisal, and synthesis of studies addressing specific clinical questions. Important issues that need to be considered when appraising a systematic review or meta-analysis are outlined, and some of the terms used in the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses—such as odds ratio, relative risk, confidence interval, and the forest plot—are introduced.