Systematic reviews and trials

Researchers from Cochrane China Center conduct practice-changing systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials. They have developed sophsicated expertise in evidence syntheses methods, including traditional and advanced meta-analyses (e.g. network meta-analyses, dose-response meta-analyses, and rare event data meta-analyses), and randomized controlled trials. Applying a diversity of research methods, they have conducted large systematic reviews and meta-analyses to answer questions important for healthcare practice, and regulatory and coverage decisions.

Examples of practice-changing systematic reviews:

  • Clopidogrel plus aspirin versus aspirin alone for acute minor ischaemic stroke or high risk transient ischaemic attack: systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ. 2018 Dec 18;363:k5108.
  • Incretin based treatments and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2017 Jun 8;357:j2499.
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and observational studies. BMJ. 2016 Feb 17;352:i610.
  • Incretin treatment and risk of pancreatitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised studies.BMJ. 2014 Apr 15;348:g2366.

The Center is also active in developing novel methods and guidance to improve the quality of planning, conduct, analysis, and reporting. Examples of methods research include the development of criteria for subgroup analyses both for trials and meta-analyses, and investigation of methods on dose-response meta-analyses and systematic review of drug adverse effects. The ongoing methodological research projects include:

  • Methodological studies on systematic review and meta-analyses of adverse drug effects
  • Metholodological studies on systematic review and meta-analyses of surgical studies
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence for systematic reviews
  • Methological studies on surgical  trials
  • Methodological studies on trials of traditional Chinese medicine
  • Methodological studies on trials of novel designs (e.g. adaptive trials)