A Systematic Review of Meta-analyses Published in Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery.

PURPOSE

To determine whether the number of meta-analyses published by Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery has increased from the inception of the Journal through 2014.

METHODS

A literature search of the Journal's Web site and Medline was carried out. All studies described as a "meta-analysis" as well as systematic reviews that pooled data were included. The number of published meta-analyses was calculated and summarized by year of publication, region, topic, and level of evidence.

RESULTS

The Journal's Web site search resulted in 517 citations for review, and the Medline search resulted in 400. After the results of each search were combined and duplicates were removed, a total of 60 studies were included in this review. The first published meta-analysis appeared in 2001. Of the 60 meta-analyses, 36 (60%) were published between 2013 and 2014. In light of the increase in the number of publications, a review of the design and conduct of a meta-analysis is presented in a straightforward question-and-answer format.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of meta-analyses appearing in Arthroscopy has increased over the past 2 decades. This increase highlights the importance of developing an understanding of the premise and components of a meta-analysis to allow the reader to critically appraise these studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I through IV meta-analyses.