Trim and Fill: A Simple Funnel-Plot-Based Method of Testing and Adjusting for Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis

Biometrics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Duval ◽  
Richard Tweedie
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Funnel Plot ◽  
Trim And Fill

scholarly journals Effect of Interventions on Learning Burnout: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Tang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Ruoyun Yin ◽  
Zhaoya Fan
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Funnel Plot ◽  
Subgroup Analyses ◽  
Trim And Fill

Objectives: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of all intervention for learning burnout by meta-analyzing their effects.Methods: Relevant studies that had been published up to September 18, 2020, were identified through a systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang databases. Eligible studies included randomized control trials of any learning burnout intervention conducted among students. The Jadad scale was used to evaluate the quality of the study. Random-effect meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, meta-regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis were conducted. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Duval and Tweedie's non-parametric trim-and-fill method was used to adjust the effect of publication bias.Results: Of the 5,245 articles found, 39 met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. There were 3,400 students, including 1,847 students in the intervention group and 1,553 in the control group. A meta-analysis of 44 studies showed that the interventions were effective. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to education, scales, intervention measures, and intervention time. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the learning burnout scores of undergraduates, secondary vocational students, and middle school students were significantly lower. Based on different scales, all interventions were also effective. The funnel plot was asymmetric and consistent with the results of Egger's test. The trim-and-fill method was used, and seven missing studies were merged to obtain a symmetric funnel plot.Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that learning burnout interventions are effective. The subgroup analyses showed that group counseling is the most widely used, exercise intervention is probably the most effective, and 8 weeks or more is the appropriate intervention time. An integrated intervention study based on the factors of learning burnout adds value. More studies are needed to supplement the results in the future.

scholarly journals Overweight and Obesity Among Adult HIV Infected Peoples Receiving ART in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272199364
Author(s):  
Robel Hussen Kabthymer ◽  
Solomon Nega Techane ◽  
Temesgen Muche ◽  
Helen Ali Ewune ◽  
Semagn Mekonnen Abate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Obesity And Overweight ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Trim And Fill

Background: Over-nutrition and diet-linked non-communicable morbidities are showing increasing trend overtime. Even if there are different factors that affect the change in BMI other than ART, several authors have reported increases in BMI among PLHIV on treatment that are equal to or surpass the general population. This study is aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight among adult HIV infected peoples taking ART in Ethiopia. Method: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of science, global health and Google scholar electronic databases were used to perform a systematic literature search. Two authors independently extracted all the necessary data using a structured data extraction format. Data analysis was done using STATA Version 14. The heterogeneity of the studies was assessed by using I2 test. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence. Publication bias was checked using Funnel plot and Egger’s test. Result: Two thousand seven hundred and fifty-one studies were reviewed and 13 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis of 13 studies, comprising 4994 participants resulted in pooled prevalence of overweight to be 17.85% (95% CI: 12.22-23.47). Whereas, the pooled prevalence of overweight was found to be 3.90 (95% CI: 2.31-5.49) but after adjusting for publication bias using trim and fill analysis it has become 3.58 (95% CI: 2.04-5.13). Magnitude of both overweight and obesity was higher in studies conducted in Addis Ababa, studies done after 2016 and studies having sample size of less than 400, in subgroup analysis. Conclusion: The magnitude of overweight and obesity among HIV infected peoples taking ART in Ethiopia is high. There is a need to have a routine screening to PLWHA on the risk of over-nutrition in order to facilitate early detection.

scholarly journals Global Burden of Anxiety and Depression among Cystic Fibrosis Patient: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mistire Teshome Guta ◽  
Tiwabwork Tekalign ◽  
Nefsu Awoke ◽  
Robera Olana Fite ◽  
Getahun Dendir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
North America ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Systemic Review ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
The World ◽  
Trim And Fill ◽  
Meta Analyses

Aims. This systemic review and meta-analysis were aimed at determining the level of anxiety and depression among cystic fibrosis patients in the world. Methods. We conducted a systematic search of published studies from PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and manually on Google Scholar. This meta-analysis follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of studies was assessed by the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects method using the STATA™ Version 14 software. Trim and fill analysis was done to correct the presence of significant publication bias. Result. From 419,820 obtained studies, 26 studies from 2 different parts of the world including 9766. The overall global pooled prevalence of anxiety and depression after correction for publication bias by trim and fill analysis was found to be 24.91(95% CI: 20.8-28.9) for anxiety. The subgroup analyses revealed with the lowest prevalence, 23.59%, (95% CI: 8.08, 39.09)) in North America and the highest, 26.77%, (95% CI: 22.5, 31.04) seen in Europe for anxiety and with the highest prevalence, 18.67%, (95% CI: 9.82, 27.5) in North America and the lowest, 13.27%, (95% CI: -10.05, 16.5) seen in Europe for depression. Conclusion. The global prevalence of anxiety and depression among cystic fibrosis patients is common. Therefore, close monitoring of the patient, regularly screening for anxiety and depression, and appropriate prevention techniques is recommended.

scholarly journals Prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Taylor-Rowan ◽  
Oyiza Momoh ◽  
Luis Ayerbe ◽  
Jonathan J. Evans ◽  
David J. Stott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Funnel Plot ◽  
Strength Of Evidence ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Depression Assessment ◽  
Post Stroke Depression

AbstractBackgroundDepression is a common post-stroke complication. Pre-stroke depression may be an important contributor, however the epidemiology of pre-stroke depression is poorly understood. Using systematic review and meta-analysis, we described the prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression.MethodsWe searched multiple cross-disciplinary databases from inception to July 2017 and extracted data on the prevalence of pre-stroke depression and its association with post-stroke depression. We assessed the risk of bias (RoB) using validated tools. We described summary estimates of prevalence and summary odds ratio (OR) for association with post-stroke depression, using random-effects models. We performed subgroup analysis describing the effect of depression assessment method. We used a funnel plot to describe potential publication bias. The strength of evidence presented in this review was summarised via ‘GRADE’.ResultsOf 11 884 studies identified, 29 were included (total participantsn= 164 993). Pre-stroke depression pooled prevalence was 11.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.2–14.7]; range: 0.4–24% (I295.8). Prevalence of pre-stroke depression varied by assessment method (p= 0.02) with clinical interview suggesting greater pre-stroke depression prevalence (~17%) than case-note review (9%) or self-report (11%). Pre-stroke depression was associated with increased odds of post-stroke depression; summary OR 3.0 (95% CI 2.3–4.0). All studies were judged to be at RoB: 59% of included studies had an uncertain RoB in stroke assessment; 83% had high or uncertain RoB for pre-stroke depression assessment. Funnel plot indicated no risk of publication bias. The strength of evidence based on GRADE was ‘very low’.ConclusionsOne in six stroke patients have had pre-stroke depression. Reported rates may be routinely underestimated due to limitations around assessment. Pre-stroke depression significantly increases odds of post-stroke depression.Protocol identifierPROSPERO identifier: CRD42017065544

Effects of the endocrine disruptor vinclozolin in male reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis†

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Feijó ◽  
Roberta V L Martins ◽  
Sílvia Socorro ◽  
Luísa Pereira ◽  
Sara Correia
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Trim And Fill ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Q Statistic

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have become an issue of scientific and public discussion. Vinclozolin (VNZ) is a fungicide that competitively antagonizes the binding of natural androgens to their receptor, disturbing the function of tissues that are sensitive to these hormones, as is the case of the male reproductive organs. A systematic review with meta-analyses of rodent studies was conducted to answer the following question: Does exposure to VNZ affect sperm parameters and testicular/epididymal weight? The methodology was prespecified according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and PRISMA recommendations. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 1189 animals. The risk of publication bias was assessed using the Trim and Fill adjustment, funnel plot, and Egger regression test. Heterogeneity and inconsistency across the findings were tested using the Q-statistic and I2 of Higgins, respectively. Sensitivity was also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed on Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 2.0), using random models and weighted mean differences along with a 95% confidence interval. Sperm motility, counts, daily sperm production (evidence of publication bias), and epididymis weight were decreased in VNZ-treated animals. Exposure length and dose, as well as the time point of exposure, influenced the obtained results. Despite the moderate/high heterogeneity observed, the sensitivity analysis overall demonstrated the robustness of the findings. The quality scores of the included studies were superior to 4 in a total of 9, then classified as good. The obtained data corroborate the capability of VNZ exposure to disrupt spermatogenic output and compromise male fertility.

scholarly journals The association between lithium in drinking water and neuropsychiatric outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis from across 2678 regions containing 113 million

2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742096374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenton Eyre-Watt ◽  
Eesharnan Mahendran ◽  
Shuichi Suetani ◽  
Joseph Firth ◽  
Steve Kisely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Trim And Fill

Background: Lithium in drinking water may have significant mental health benefits. We investigated the evidence on the association between lithium concentrations in drinking water and their neuropsychiatric outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and searched Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and CINAHL up to 19 January 2020, for peer-reviewed research examining the association between lithium concentrations in drinking water and neuropsychiatric outcomes. We used a pairwise analysis and a random effects model to meta-analyse suicide rates and psychiatric hospital admissions. We assessed for publication bias using Egger’s test and Duval and Tweedie’s Trim and Fill analysis. Results: Twenty-seven studies including 113 million subjects were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis of 14 studies including 94 million people found higher lithium concentrations were associated with reduced suicide rates ( r = −0.191, 95% confidence interval = [−0.287, −0.090], p < 0.001) and meta-analysis of two studies including 5 million people found higher lithium concentrations were associated with fewer hospital admissions ( r = −0.413, 95% confidence interval = [−0.689, −0.031], p = 0.035). We found significant heterogeneity between studies ( Q = 67.4, p < 0.001, I2 = 80.7%) and the presence of publication bias (Egger’s test; t value = 2.90, p = 0.013). Other included studies did not provide sufficient data to analyse other neuropsychiatric outcomes quantitatively. Conclusion: Higher lithium concentrations in drinking water may be associated with reduced suicide rates and inpatient psychiatric admissions. The relationship with other neuropsychiatric outcomes and complications remains unclear. Further research is required before any public health recommendations can be made. Trial registration number: The study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018090145.

scholarly journals Foetal origins of depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis of low birth weight and later depression

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Wojcik ◽  
W. Lee ◽  
I. Colman ◽  
R. Hardy ◽  
M. Hotopf
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Normal Birth ◽  
Trim And Fill

BackgroundThe foetal origins hypothesis suggests an association between low birth weight and later depression, yet evidence supporting this association has been inconsistent.MethodWe systematically reviewed evidence for an association between low birth weight and adult depression or psychological distress in the general population by meta-analysis. We searched EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO and ISI Web of Science for studies reporting observational data with low birth weight as the exposure and self- or clinician-rated depression or psychological distress measures as an outcome. Selective studies of exposures such as famine or outcomes such as severe illness only were excluded. Altogether,1454 studies were screened for relevance, 26 were included in the qualitative synthesis, 18 were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects meta-analysis method was used to obtain a pooled estimate of effect size.ResultsThe odds of depression or psychological distress was greater for those of low birth weight (<2500 g) compared to those of normal birth weight (>2500 g) or greater [odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.00–1.32]. However, this association became non-significant after trim-and-fill correction for publication bias (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.92–1.27). Using meta-regression, no differences in effect size were observed by gender, outcome measure of depression or psychological distress, or whether the effect size was adjusted for possible confounders.ConclusionsWe found evidence to support a weak association between low birth weight and later depression or psychological distress, which may be due to publication bias. It remains possible that the association may vary according to severity of symptoms or other factors.

scholarly journals Association between cystatin C and diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients in China: a Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1430-1440
Author(s):  
Nan Yang ◽  
◽  
Xiao Yang ◽  
Kui Jiang ◽  
Ai-Min Sang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Cystatin C ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Funnel Plot ◽  
Subgroup Analyses

AIM: To explore the correlation between cystatin C (Cys-C) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in those patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in China. METHODS: Articles were collected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials.gov, and Google Scholar. Quality and risk of bias within included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Heterogeneity was determined by using Cochran’s Q-test and Higgins I2 statistics. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of Cys-C within the diabetes without retinopathy (DWR) and DR, DWR and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), NPDR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were collected by using random-effects model because of high heterogeneity. Meta-analysis was conducted based on 23 articles of 2331 DR including NPDR and PDR patients and 2023 DWR patients through Review Manager 5.3. Subgroup analyses were also performed according to DM duration, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein C (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein C (HDL-C), sample origins and methods. Publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot. RESULTS: Cys-C level in DR patients was increased compared with that of DWR (total MD: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.41 to 0.97, Z=4.79, P<0.01). Besides, the synthesized results of the studies showed the similar findings in the DWR vs NPDR group (total MD: 0.29, 95%CI 0.20 to 0.39, Z=6.02, P<0.01) and the NPDR vs PDR group (total MD: 0.63, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.82, Z=6.33, P<0.01). Heterogeneity of most of the subgroup analyses was still obvious (I2?≥?50%, P?<?0.1). Forest plots of different subgroups indicated that there was a slight increase of Cys-C during the period between DWR and DR, DWR and NPDR, NPDR and PDR. Funnel plot showed that there was no significant publication bias. CONCLUSION: The elevated Cys-C is closely related with DR and probably plays a critical role in its progression.

scholarly journals The risk of smoking with stroke in Asia : meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadhilatul Hasnah ◽  
Yuniar Lestari ◽  
Abdiana Abdiana
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Haemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Fixed Effect Model ◽  
Stroke Subtype ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Trim And Fill

This study uses a systematic method of review and meta-analysis to look at the risk of smoking with stroke in Asia. Further analysis based on the stroke subtype (ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke was also carried out. Literature search was carried out in the PubMed, EBSCO and Google Scholar databases. Q tests were performed to determine the heterogeneity of included studies. Funnel plot, Egger regression test and trim and fill methods were used to identified publication bias and with the transformation of the model between the fixed effect model and the random effect model for sensitivity analysis A total of 12 articles were included consisting of 9 studies with case control design studies and 3 studies with cohort designs. The meta-analysis results showed that people who smoke have risks pooled OR 2.04 times (95% CI 1.57-2.65) for having a stroke Analysis of the type of stroke, smokers had 2.3 times the risk of having an ischemic stroke or 2.77 times for having a haemorrhagic stroke. Eggers test showed no influence of publication bias on the meta-analysis of smoking with stroke to. From this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that smoking increasing risk for stroke. This study found the risk of smokers to have a haemorrhagic stroke is higher than ischemic stroke.

scholarly journals The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Workers’ Anxiety Levels: Protocol for a Meta-Analysis

10.2196/24136 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e24136
Author(s):  
Lunbo Zhang ◽  
Ming Yan ◽  
Kaito Takashima ◽  
Wenru Guo ◽  
Yuki Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Start Date ◽  
Anxiety Prevention ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
Trim And Fill

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been declared a public health emergency of international concern; this has caused excessive anxiety among health care workers. In addition, publication bias and low-quality publications have become widespread, which can result in the dissemination of unreliable findings. Objective This paper presents the protocol for a meta-analysis with the following two aims: (1) to examine the prevalence of anxiety among health care workers and determine whether it has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) to investigate whether there has been an increase in publication bias. Methods All related studies that were published/released from 2015 to 2020 will be searched in electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsyArXiv, and medRxiv). The risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist. The heterogeneity of the studies will be assessed using the I2 statistic. The effect size (prevalence rates of anxiety) and a 95% CI for each paper will also be calculated. We will use a moderator analysis to test for the effect of COVID-19 on health care workers’ anxiety levels and detect publication bias in COVID-19 studies. We will also assess publication bias using the funnel plot and Egger regression. In case of publication bias, if studies have no homogeneity, the trim-and-fill procedure will be applied to adjust for missing studies. Results Database searches will commence in November 2020. The meta-analysis will be completed within 2 months of the start date. Conclusions This meta-analysis aims to provide comprehensive evidence about whether COVID-19 increases the prevalence of anxiety among health care workers and whether there has been an increase in publication bias and a deterioration in the quality of publications due to the pandemic. The results of this meta-analysis can provide evidence to help health managers to make informed decisions related to anxiety prevention in health care workers. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/24136

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