Sensitivity analysis for publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data based on exact likelihood

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hu, Taojun, Zhou, Yi, Hattori, Satoshi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Hu, Taojun
Zhou, Yi
Hattori, Satoshi
author_facet Hu, Taojun
Zhou, Yi
Hattori, Satoshi
contents Meta-analysis is a powerful tool to synthesize findings from multiple studies. The normal-normal random-effects model is widely used to account for between-study heterogeneity. However, meta-analysis of sparse data, which may arise when the event rate is low for binary or count outcomes, poses a challenge to the normal-normal random-effects model in the accuracy and stability in inference since the normal approximation in the within-study model may not be good. To reduce bias arising from data sparsity, the generalized linear mixed model can be used by replacing the approximate normal within-study model with an exact model. Publication bias is one of the most serious threats in meta-analysis. Several quantitative sensitivity analysis methods for evaluating the potential impacts of selective publication are available for the normal-normal random-effects model. We propose a sensitivity analysis method by extending the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis with the t-statistic selection function of Copas to several generalized linear mixed-effects models. Through applications of our proposed method to several real-world meta-analysis and simulation studies, the proposed method was proven to outperform the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis based on the normal-normal model. The proposed method would give useful guidance to address publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2404_06837
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Sensitivity analysis for publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data based on exact likelihood
Hu, Taojun
Zhou, Yi
Hattori, Satoshi
Methodology
Meta-analysis is a powerful tool to synthesize findings from multiple studies. The normal-normal random-effects model is widely used to account for between-study heterogeneity. However, meta-analysis of sparse data, which may arise when the event rate is low for binary or count outcomes, poses a challenge to the normal-normal random-effects model in the accuracy and stability in inference since the normal approximation in the within-study model may not be good. To reduce bias arising from data sparsity, the generalized linear mixed model can be used by replacing the approximate normal within-study model with an exact model. Publication bias is one of the most serious threats in meta-analysis. Several quantitative sensitivity analysis methods for evaluating the potential impacts of selective publication are available for the normal-normal random-effects model. We propose a sensitivity analysis method by extending the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis with the t-statistic selection function of Copas to several generalized linear mixed-effects models. Through applications of our proposed method to several real-world meta-analysis and simulation studies, the proposed method was proven to outperform the likelihood-based sensitivity analysis based on the normal-normal model. The proposed method would give useful guidance to address publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data.
title Sensitivity analysis for publication bias in meta-analysis of sparse data based on exact likelihood
topic Methodology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.06837