RT Journal
A1 Wright, James G.
A1 Swiontkowski, Marc F.
A1 Tolo, Vernon T.
T1 Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews: New Guidelines for JBJS
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2012
FD September 5
VO 94
IS 17
SP 1537
OP 1537
DO 10.2106/JBJS.9417edit
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.9417edit
AB 
Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are increasingly published in the medical and surgical literature and are proliferating in the orthopaedic literature as well. “A systematic review is a review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review. Statistical methods (meta-analysis) may or may not be used to analyze and summarize the results of the included studies. Meta-analysis refers to the use of statistical techniques in a systematic review to integrate the results of included studies.”1 Thus, a systematic review is a formal and comprehensive review of the literature, whereas a meta-analysis involves the additional step of statistically combining studies. Given the latter, it is critically important, as discussed below, that only the highest-quality studies be included in meta-analyses. The quality of meta-analyses and systematic reviews, particularly in the orthopaedic literature, has varied substantially2. Furthermore, many meta-analyses substantially overlap in content, including the articles reviewed and the conclusions. This overlap raises concerns about redundant publication and is confusing for readers.