In recent years, network meta-analyses have been increasingly carried out to inform clinical guidelines and policy. This approach is under constant development, and a broad consensus on how to carry out several of its methodological and statistical steps is still lacking. Therefore, different working groups might often make different methodological choices based on their clinical and research experience, with possible advantages and shortcomings. In this contribution, we will critically assess two network meta-analyses on the topic of pharmacological prevention of relapse in schizophrenia, carried out by two different research groups. We will highlight the implications of different methodological choices on the analysis results and their clinical–epidemiological interpretation. Moreover, we will discuss some of the most relevant technical issues of network meta-analyses for which there is not a broad methodological agreement, including the assessment of transitivity.
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an air purifier for my home for…
Background Evidence-based mental health requires patient-relevant outcome data, but many indicators lack clinical meaning and…
Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due…
Background Depression alongside multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) in older adults poses a critical public health…
Objectives Should a young person receive psychotherapy or medication for their depression and on what…
Background People with severe mental illness (SMI) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD),…