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51A Applying the “real-time meta-analysis system” to randomized control trials of congestive heart failure
62S
Abstracts
Every CREV notification source is indexed: the notification is automatic when the trigger is a form, an item, a combination of items or the result of an administrative enquiry; it is not automatic when the trigger is postal, a fax or a phone call. The software can display or print out lists of CREV by event's type, date, status, by centers or by patients. The software is linked to the trial data file by the automatic detection of CREV and the validated CREV are integrated with the general file. 51A A P P L Y I N G THE " R E A L - T I M E M E T A - A N A L Y S I S S Y S T E M " TO R A N D O M I Z E D C O N T R O L T R I A L S OF C O N G E S T I V E H E A R T F A I L U R E Joseph C. Cappelleri, H a r r y P. Selker, Christopher H. Schmid, Thomas C. Chalmers and Joseph Lau
New England Medical Center Boston, Massachusetts Increasing numbers of randomized control trials (RCTs) of treatments for congestive heart failure are published each year. In congestive heart failure, as in other domains, updating previously published meta-analyses (M-As) and subgroup analyses are seldom done. Methods need to be developed that will make these processes and the process of performing new meta-analyses more efficient and accessible. We present the development of RTMAS ("Real-Time Meta-Analysis System"), a computer system that facilitates the identification of relevant RCTs for the construction of MAs and automates their updating. The key components of RTMAS are databases of extracted data from RCTs and the RTMAS computer interface. The computer interface displays and manipulates selected information on RCTs using a multi-frame and multi-level matrical format. The user can explore the databases at various depths of detail to seek suitable studies for M-As or for subgroup analyses. Frames allow the user to define specific study characteristics, patient demographics, and patient disease characteristics; treatment comparisons; and outcome measures. A subset of relevant RCTs can be retrieved that are used for multi-level matrix construction of treatment characteristics and outcome measures. A matrix of treatment comparisons lists the experimental drugs in rows and the control treatment in columns that identify potential studies for an M-A. About 400 RCTs have been found for a variety of treatments. Of these, about 150 involved angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, which could be combined in clinically relevant M-As. By incorporating structured data extractions, RTMAS facilitates the development and maintenance of extracted databases of RCTs, and promotes automatic updating, more reproducible results, and documentation of the M-A process.
Abstracts
Every CREV notification source is indexed: the notification is automatic when the trigger is a form, an item, a combination of items or the result of an administrative enquiry; it is not automatic when the trigger is postal, a fax or a phone call. The software can display or print out lists of CREV by event's type, date, status, by centers or by patients. The software is linked to the trial data file by the automatic detection of CREV and the validated CREV are integrated with the general file. 51A A P P L Y I N G THE " R E A L - T I M E M E T A - A N A L Y S I S S Y S T E M " TO R A N D O M I Z E D C O N T R O L T R I A L S OF C O N G E S T I V E H E A R T F A I L U R E Joseph C. Cappelleri, H a r r y P. Selker, Christopher H. Schmid, Thomas C. Chalmers and Joseph Lau
New England Medical Center Boston, Massachusetts Increasing numbers of randomized control trials (RCTs) of treatments for congestive heart failure are published each year. In congestive heart failure, as in other domains, updating previously published meta-analyses (M-As) and subgroup analyses are seldom done. Methods need to be developed that will make these processes and the process of performing new meta-analyses more efficient and accessible. We present the development of RTMAS ("Real-Time Meta-Analysis System"), a computer system that facilitates the identification of relevant RCTs for the construction of MAs and automates their updating. The key components of RTMAS are databases of extracted data from RCTs and the RTMAS computer interface. The computer interface displays and manipulates selected information on RCTs using a multi-frame and multi-level matrical format. The user can explore the databases at various depths of detail to seek suitable studies for M-As or for subgroup analyses. Frames allow the user to define specific study characteristics, patient demographics, and patient disease characteristics; treatment comparisons; and outcome measures. A subset of relevant RCTs can be retrieved that are used for multi-level matrix construction of treatment characteristics and outcome measures. A matrix of treatment comparisons lists the experimental drugs in rows and the control treatment in columns that identify potential studies for an M-A. About 400 RCTs have been found for a variety of treatments. Of these, about 150 involved angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, which could be combined in clinically relevant M-As. By incorporating structured data extractions, RTMAS facilitates the development and maintenance of extracted databases of RCTs, and promotes automatic updating, more reproducible results, and documentation of the M-A process.