This is the program for the 2010 Joint Statistical Meetings in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Abstract Details

Activity Number: 276
Type: Invited
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: SSC
Abstract - #306170
Title: Methodological Issues in the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Author(s): Lauren Griffith*+
Companies: McMaster University
Address: Dept. CE&B, DTC-517 , Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
Keywords: meta-analysis ; observational studies ; exposure ; outcome ; systematic review ; low back pain
Abstract:

The notion of combining evidence from different studies has a long history, going back at least two centuries. This talk will provide some historical background to these approaches and describe the particular challenges faced with observational studies. The example of biomechanical exposures and low back pain (LBP) will illustrate the challenges, and methods to resolve the difficulties will be shown. The substantive example is an analysis of individual participant data (IPD) from 48 observational studies on this topic. Among the concerns of applying meta-analytic techniques to observational studies are difficulties of comparing exposures, outcomes, measures of effect, and adjustments for possible confounders across studies. Future directions will also be discussed, such as the application of these methods to harmonizing measures from prospective cohort studies.


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