Abstract

FERNANDEZ-CHINGUEL, Jose E et al. Some basic concepts about reading systematic reviews and interpreting meta-analysis. Acta méd. Peru [online]. 2019, vol.36, n.2, pp.157-169. ISSN 1728-5917.

Systematic reviews (SR) are studies that seek to summarize the available evidence regarding a research question, for which they can use statistical strategies known as meta-analysis (MA). Currently, SRs are fundamental to making evidence-based decisions, which is why it is very important for health professionals to know how to face this type of studies. Therefore, this article aims to familiarize the reader with the basic concepts to make a correct appraisal of SRs and interpretation of MAs, for which a hypothetical example of a fictitious condition called "Glutton Syndrome" is used. In addition, the interpretation of the certainty of the evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology is addressed.

Keywords : Education, medical; Education, continuing; Evidence-based medicine; Meta-analysis.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )