2020/04/03 by Adriani Nikolakopoulou, Julian P. T. Higgins, Theodoros Papakonstantinou +4 · 21 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Decision Sciences · #Agriculture, Soil, Plant Science #Meta-analysis and systematic reviews #scientometrics and bibliometrics research
paper · pdf · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003082
openalex publication_date 2020/04/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
BACKGROUND: The evaluation of the credibility of results from a meta-analysis has become an important part of the evidence synthesis process. We present a methodological framework to evaluate confidence in the results from network meta-analyses, Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA), when multiple interventions are compared. METHODOLOGY: CINeMA considers 6 domains: (i) within-study bias, (ii) reporting bias, (iii) indirectness, (iv) imprecision, (v) heterogeneity, and (vi) incoherence. Key to judgments about within-study bias and indirectness is the percentage contribution matrix, which shows how much information each study contributes to the results from network meta-analysis. The contribution matrix can easily be computed using a freely available web application. In evaluating imprecision, heterogeneity, and incoherence, we consider the impact of these components of variability in forming clinical decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Via 3 examples, we show that CINeMA improves transparency and avoids the selective use of evidence when forming judgments, thus limiting subjectivity in the process. CINeMA is easy to apply even in large and complicated networks.