Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

Sterne, Jonathan A C; Sutton, Alex J.; Ioannidis, John P. A.; Terrin, Norma; Jones, David R.; Lau, J.; Carpenter, James R.; Rücker, Gerta; Harbord, Roger; Schmid, Christopher H.; Tetzlaff, Jennifer; Deeks, Jonathan J; Peters, Judith; Macaskill, Petra; Schwarzer, Guido; Duval, Sue; Altman, Douglas G.; Moher, David; Higgins, Julian P. T.

doi:10.1136/bmj.d4002

articleBMJJul 22, 2011BRONZE OA

Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

JAJonathan A C Sterne AJAlex J. Sutton JPJohn P. A. Ioannidis NTNorma Terrin DRDavid R. Jones

University of Bristol · University of Leicester · +15 more institutions

PubMed

Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

Funnel plots, and tests for funnel plot asymmetry, have been widely used to examine bias in the results of meta-analyses. Funnel plot asymmetry should not be equated with publication bias, because it has a number of other possible causes. This article describes how to interpret funnel plot asymmetry, recommends appropriate tests, and explains the implications for choice of meta-analysis model

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Topics & keywords

Topics

Keywords

Funnel plot
Funnel
Asymmetry
Publication bias
Meta-analysis
Plot (graphics)
Forest plot
Econometrics

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