Citation

Riaz IB, Khan MS, Riaz H, Goldberg RJ. Am. J. Med. 2015; 129(3): 339.e11-33900000000008.

Affiliation

Division of Epidemiology, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, MA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.10.009

PMID

26522792

Abstract

The number of meta-analyses published annually has increased more than 20 fold between 1994 (n=386) and 2014 (n=8,203). In examining how much of this increase in meta-analysis publication has genuinely represented novel contributions to clinical medicine and public health, it became clear that there was an abundance of redundant and disorganized meta-analyses creating confusion and generating considerable debate. Ironically, meta-analyses, which should prevent redundant research, has become a victim of it. Recently, 17 meta-analyses were published based on the results of only three randomized controlled trials which studied the role of transcatheter closure of patient foramen ovale for prevention of cryptogenic stroke. In our search of the published literature, we identified at least 10 topics which were the subject of 10 meta-analyses. In the context of overlapping meta-analyses, one questions what needs to be done to put this "runaway train" back on track. In this review, we examine the practice of redundant meta-analyses and the reasons for its disturbing "popularity". The registration of systematic reviews should be mandatory in prospective registries, such as PROSPERO, and the PRISMA checklist should be updated to incorporate new evidence and mandate the reference of previously published reviews and rationale for any new study.

Language: en