Limitations of the MEDLINE Database in Constructing Meta-analyses
Authors: David E. Winchester
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2010)

Letters7 September 2010Limitations of the MEDLINE Database in Constructing Meta-analysesDavid E. Winchester, MD and Anthony A. Bavry, MD, MPHDavid E. Winchester, MDFrom University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.Search for more papers by this author and Anthony A. Bavry, MD, MPHFrom University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-153-5-201009070-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Meta-analyses are important for aggregating trial results to identify conclusions that cannot be made through separate examination. A thorough literature search is of utmost importance in constructing a meta-analysis. The PubMed interface from the National Library of Medicine is a cornerstone of many meta-analysis searches, and the largest component of PubMed is the MEDLINE database. Each article in this database has a unique entry with information about the study's participants and design. However, database entries are available for public search before the entry is finished, leaving a lag time during which data about the study design and participants may ...References1. Gerber S, Tallon D, Trelle S, Schneider M, Jüni P, Egger M. Bibliographic study showed improving methodology of meta-analyses published in leading journals 1993-2002. J Clin Epidemiol. 2007;60:773-80. [PMID: 17606172] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Wilczynski NL, Haynes RB. Consistency and accuracy of indexing systematic review articles and meta-analyses in medline. Health Info Libr J. 2009;26:203-10. [PMID: 19712212] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoLimitations of the MEDLINE Database in Constructing Meta-analyses Edith Leclercq , Bianca Kramer , and Winnie Schats Limitations of the MEDLINE Database in Constructing Meta-analyses David E. Winchester and Anthony A. Bavry Metrics Cited byEfficacy of theory-based interventions to promote physical activity. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsEfficacy and Safety of Unfractionated Heparin Plus Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors During Revascularization for an Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials Performed With Stents and ThienopyridinesPublic health research outputs from efficacy to dissemination: a bibliometric analysisThe Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Insulin Resistance: A Systematic ReviewLimitations of the MEDLINE Database in Constructing Meta-analysesEdith Leclercq, PhD, Bianca Kramer, PhD, and Winnie SchatsEfficacy and Safety of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors During Elective Coronary Revascularization 7 September 2010Volume 153, Issue 5Page: 347-348KeywordsClinical trialsConflicts of interestDatabasesGlycoproteinsLibrariesSystematic reviews ePublished: 7 September 2010 Issue Published: 7 September 2010 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2010 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...