Russo Mark W
Dr. Russo is Medical Director of Liver Transplantation in the Department of Medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2007 Aug;3(8):637-42.
Meta-analysis is a systematic review of a focused topic in the literature that provides a quantitative estimate for the effect of a treatment intervention or exposure. The key to designing a high quality meta-analysis is to identify an area where the effect of the treatment or exposure is uncertain and where a relatively homogenous body of literature exists. The techniques used in meta-analysis provide a structured and standardized approach for analyzing prior findings in a specific topic in the literature. Meta-analysis findings may not only be quantitative but also may be qualitative and reveal the biases, strengths, and weaknesses of existing studies. The results of a meta-analysis can be used to form treatment recommendations or to provide guidance in the design of future clinical trials.
荟萃分析是对文献中一个重点主题的系统评价，它对治疗干预或暴露的效果提供定量估计。设计高质量荟萃分析的关键在于确定一个治疗或暴露效果不确定且存在相对同质文献的领域。荟萃分析中使用的技术为分析文献中特定主题的先前研究结果提供了一种结构化和标准化的方法。荟萃分析的结果不仅可以是定量的，也可以是定性的，并揭示现有研究的偏差、优点和缺点。荟萃分析的结果可用于形成治疗建议或为未来临床试验的设计提供指导。
