Course in Network Meta-Analysis, January 2014

Indirect comparisons and network meta-analysis: Evidence synthesis with multiple treatments

January 20-22, 2014

Wengen, Switzerland

Prof. Julian Higgins, PhD (course co-ordinator),  School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK

Dr. Georgia Salanti, PhD ,  Department of Hygiene & Epidemiology, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece

Link: http://www.epi-winterschool.org/courses/course2/

Introduction

Standard meta-analysis methods for clinical trials focus on comparisons of two interventions, such as a drug versus a placebo, or a new intervention versus standard practice. Rarely are there only two interventions under consideration in clinical practice. Extensions of meta-analysis to address three or more treatments have been the subject of much methodological research in recent years, and are increasingly being applied. At simplest, indirect comparisons can be performed in ways that respect the randomization within each clinical trial. More complex are so-called network meta-analyses, also known as multiple treatments meta-analyses or mixed treatment comparison meta-analyses. These allow the simultaneous analysis of clinical trials involving different treatments.

This course is aimed at statisticians, epidemiologists and other quantitatively-minded researchers who want to understand state-of-the-art statistical syntheses of clinical trials involving multiple interventions. Knowledge of systematic reviews and the fundamentals of meta-analysis is expected of all participants. Participants must be statistically literate, including a good understanding of regression, meta-analysis, random-effects models and matrices. Computer practicals will use Stata®, including the new mvmeta macro for performing multivariate meta-analysis. Participants do not need to be familiar with Stata®. Participants already familiar with WinBUGS will be able to follow parallel practicals using Bayesian techniques.

Course objectives

By the end of this short course participants will have an understanding of:

  • The role and potential of indirect comparisons and network meta-analysis in the evaluation of healthcare interventions;
  • The principles, steps and statistical methods involved;
  • The biases that can distort indirect comparisons and network meta-analysis, including conflict among different sources of evidence, and ways to address these issues.

Participants will gain practical experience in performing analyses in either Stata® or WinBUGS