From complexity to clarity: how directed acyclic graphs enhance the study design of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Stijntje W. Dijk*, Lisa M. Caulley, Myriam Hunink, Jeremy Labrecque

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
16 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

While frameworks to systematically assess bias in systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) and frameworks on causal inference are well established, they are less frequently integrated beyond the data analysis stages. This paper proposes the use of Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) in the design stage of SRMAs. We hypothesize that DAGs created and registered a priori can offer a useful approach to more effective and efficient evidence synthesis. DAGs provide a visual representation of the complex assumed relationships between variables within and beyond individual studies prior to data analysis, facilitating discussion among researchers, guiding data analysis, and may lead to more targeted inclusion criteria or set of data extraction items. We illustrate this argument through both experimental and observational case examples.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-33
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Journal of Epidemiology
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Apart from the submitted work, Dr. Dijk receives research funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the German Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee. Dr. Caulley receives research funding from the Lundbeck Foundation. Dr. Hunink receives (or received in the past 36 months) Royalties from Cambridge University Press for a textbook on Medical Decision Making, reimbursement of expenses from the European Society of Radiology (ESR) for work on the ESR guidelines for imaging referrals, and research funding from the American Diabetes Association, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, Netherlands Educational Grant (“Studievoorschotmiddelen”), the German Innovation Committee at the Federal Joint Committee and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Dr. Labrecque is supported by a NWO/ZonMW Veni Grant (09150162010213).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'From complexity to clarity: how directed acyclic graphs enhance the study design of systematic reviews and meta-analyses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this