Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses

Julian P T Higgins; Simon G Thompson; Jonathan J Deeks; Douglas G Altman

doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7414.557

Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses

BMJ. 2003 Sep 6;327(7414):557-60. doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7414.557.

Authors

Julian P T Higgins¹, Simon G Thompson, Jonathan J Deeks, Douglas G Altman

Affiliation

¹ MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, Cambridge CB2 2SR. julian.higgins@mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk

Abstract

Cochrane Reviews have recently started including the quantity I² to help readers assess the consistency of the results of studies in meta-analyses. What does this new quantity mean, and why is assessment of heterogeneity so important to clinical practice?

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Data Interpretation, Statistical
Meta-Analysis as Topic*
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity