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Review
. 1993 Jul;4(4):295-302.
doi: 10.1097/00001648-199307000-00004.

Methods for pooled analyses of epidemiologic studies

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Review

Methods for pooled analyses of epidemiologic studies

C M Friedenreich. Epidemiology. 1993 Jul.

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic methodology for the pooling and analysis of previously conducted epidemiologic studies. It discusses the methodologic issues to consider and the procedures to follow when conducting a pooled analysis of individual subject level data. I review random and fixed effects models to estimate pooled risks and the methods to examine whether heterogeneity in study-specific effect estimates exists. Analytic strategies presented here can be used to assess sources of heterogeneity, particularly those originating from different study designs and methods. I describe methods for incorporating a qualitative assessment of the study design and data collection methods into the quantitative estimation of the overall effect. Finally, I make recommendations for future pooled analyses of epidemiologic studies.

Comment in

  • Methods for pooled analyses of epidemiologic studies.
    Smith SJ, Steinberg KK, Thacker SB. Smith SJ, et al. Epidemiology. 1994 May;5(3):381-3. doi: 10.1097/00001648-199405000-00024. Epidemiology. 1994. PMID: 8038259 No abstract available.
  • The Pooling Project.
    Comstock GW. Comstock GW. Epidemiology. 1994 Jan;5(1):128-9. doi: 10.1097/00001648-199401000-00021. Epidemiology. 1994. PMID: 8117772 No abstract available.
  • Pooling epidemiologic studies.
    Ahlbom A. Ahlbom A. Epidemiology. 1993 Jul;4(4):283-4. Epidemiology. 1993. PMID: 8347737 No abstract available.

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