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Meta-analyses Using Individual Patient Data Are Needed

Andrew D. Oxman, MD, MSc, FRCPC; Michael J. Clarke, DPhil; Lesley A. Stewart, PhD

JAMA. 1995;274(10):845-846.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

In this issue of THE JOURNAL, Jeng et al¹ report discrepancies between the results of meta-analyses using aggregate data available from the literature (MAL) and meta-analyses using individual patient data (MAP). This may be seen as further grounds for mistrusting meta-analysis in general^2,3 and MAL in particular,⁴ but before deciding that all meta-analyses are an exercise in "mega-silliness,"⁵ consider the alternatives.

See also p 830.

The key characteristic of MAPs is the use of individual patient data (IPD). Meta-analyses using aggregate data also can, and frequently do, include unpublished data, so the term IPD meta-analyses is preferable to avoid confusing issues relating to using IPD and issues relating to using unpublished data.

IPD meta-analyses require international cooperation between the individuals and groups who have conducted relevant trials and a considerable amount of time, personnel, and financial resources.⁶ These global collaborative endeavors have yielded important information . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
From the Health Services Research Unit, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway (Dr Oxman); the Clinical Trial Service Unit and Imperial Cancer Research Fund Cancer Studies Unit, University of Oxford (England) (Dr Clarke); and the Medical Research Council Cancer Trials Office, Cambridge, England (Dr Stewart).

Footnotes
Corresponding author: Andrew D. Oxman, MD, MSc, Health Services Research Unit, National Institute of Public Health, Geitmyrsveien 75, 0462 Oslo, Norway.

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