An Introduction to Multivariate Meta-analysis
presented by
Malcolm Price, Richard Riley, Jamie Kirkham
on 8 June 2016
Venue:
The Royal Statistical Society, 12 Errol Street, London, EC1Y 8LX
Nearest Tube stations: Barbican, Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Old Street
Course
Summary:
The use of meta-analysis to synthesise effect estimates from multiple studies is now well established
in evidence based medicine. Many studies have more than one outcome of interest, such as diseasefree survival and overall survival, and researchers currently meta-analyse each outcome separately.
However, such multiple outcomes are often related to each other, i.e. they are correlated. For
example, a patient’s time to recurrence of disease is generally associated with their time of death. By
meta-analysing each outcome independently, researchers ignore this correlation and thus lose
potentially valuable information. However, a multivariate meta-analysis can analyse correlated
outcomes together and utilise their correlated information to get the most out of the available data.
The course provides a firm introduction to multivariate meta-analysis methods and gives a full
demonstration of its implementation in STATA.
Learning
Outcome:
To develop an understanding of the rational, methods, advantages and limitations of multivariate
meta-analysis.
Topics
Covered:
The course begins by revising the well-known methods for univariate meta-analysis. Next it introduces
the multivariate meta-analysis model for both fixed and random effects. This includes the rational,
mathematical form, and a description of its advantages and disadvantages as compared to the
univariate approach. It explains how to calculate within-study and between-study correlations, and
show why they lead to 'borrowing of strength' across outcomes. It details estimation methods to fit the
multivariate model, and provide a detailed demonstration of the MVMETA package in STATA. Next
the presenters discuss some of latest developments in the field, including a multivariate equivalent of
the I-squared statistic, and outcome reporting bias. Finally, the course gives a more in-depth
description of one particular application of multivariate meta-analysis – the synthesis of summary
evidence from diagnostic test studies.
Target
Audience:
Statisticians interested in learning about evidence synthesis, especially in a clinical/epidemiological
setting.
Knowledge
Assumed:
A reasonable grounding in statistics is required. Some knowledge of meta-analysis and randomised
controlled trials would be of help, but is not essential.
Delegate
comments:
“Excellent course - very interesting and very experienced and knowledgeable presenters.”
“Well organised and well-structured course”
“Very well prepared course at about the right level. Will allow me to access the literature now!”
Course
Format:
Registration begins at 09.30 and the course runs from 10.00 until 17.00. The course consists of
lectures including a class demonstration of the MVMETA package in STATA.
Registration before
8 May 2016
Registration on/after
8 May 2016
Non Member *
£360+vat
£400+vat
RSS Fellow
£306+vat
£340+vat
RSS CStat: also MIS, FIS & GradStat
£288+vat
£320+vat
Fees
Contact:
Tessa Pearson, Royal Statistical Society, 12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7614 3947 Email: courses@rss.org.uk Fax: +44 (0)20 7614 3905
* Non members are welcome to join the Society at the same time as registering for the course and receive the applicable course discount.
More information about membership can be found at www.rss.org.uk/join
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INTRODUCTION TO MULTIVARIATE META-ANALYSIS – 8 June 2016
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8 May 2016
8 May 2016
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Non member (£400+vat)
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RSS Fellow (£306+vat)
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RSS Fellow (£340 +vat)
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CStat, MIS, FIS and GradStat (£288+vat)
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CStat, MIS, FIS and GradStat (£320+vat)
£384.00
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Please return
completed form to:
Tessa Pearson, Royal Statistical Society, 12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7614 3947
Email: courses@rss.org.uk
Fax: +44 (0)20 7614 3905