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. 2017 Jan;28(1):5-12.
doi: 10.1007/s10552-016-0830-6. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Trends in published meta-analyses in cancer research, 2008-2013

Ximena V Qadir  1 , Mindy Clyne  2 , Tram Kim Lam  1 , Muin J Khoury  1   3 , Sheri D Schully  4   5
Affiliations

Trends in published meta-analyses in cancer research, 2008-2013

Ximena V Qadir et al. Cancer Causes Control. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

In order to capture trends in the contribution of epidemiology to cancer research, we describe an online meta-analysis database resource for cancer clinical and population research and illustrate trends and descriptive detail of cancer meta-analyses from 2008 through 2013. A total of 4,686 cancer meta-analyses met our inclusion criteria. During this 6-year period, a fivefold increase was observed in the yearly number of meta-analyses. Fifty-six percent of meta-analyses concerned observational studies, mostly of cancer risk, more than half of which were genetic studies. The major cancer sites were breast, colorectal, and digestive. This online database for Cancer Genomics and Epidemiology Navigator will be continuously updated to allow investigators to quickly navigate the meta-analyses emerging from cancer epidemiology studies and cancer clinical trials.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Database; Epidemiology; Meta-analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors have no conflict of interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Search strategy and selection of cancer epidemiology meta-analysis Note: For some codings, publications may appear in more than one group A non-parametric analysis was performed measuring trends (Ptrend) across ordered groups (article count by year). Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. The statistical analysis was performed by Stata/SE 13 software and accessed on June 15, 2015.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cancer meta-analysis from 2008–2013 (N=4,686)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Risk study characteristics from 2008–2013 (N=3,289) A non-parametric analysis was performed measuring trends (Ptrend) across ordered groups (article count by year). Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. The statistical analysis was performed by Stata/SE 13 software and accessed on June 15, 2015.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Top journals with published cancer meta-analysis from 2008–2013 (N=4,686)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Cancer meta-analysis stratified by first author location (N=4,686)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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