Table 1 Proposed advantages of individual patient data meta-analyses
From: The strengths and limitations of meta-analyses based on aggregate data
Ability to use common definitions, coding and cutpoints |
Address questions not addressed in original publication |
Assess adequacy of randomization |
Permits data checking |
Permits data updating |
Permits checking of analyses |
Allows adjustment for the same variables across studies |
Permits ready use of time-to-event data for estimating survival |
Ability to address long-term outcomes |
Facilitates exploration of heterogeneity at the patient level and subgroup analyses of patient level data |