Aproximación a los metanálisis de comparación de múltiples tratamientos: una revisión de la literatura

Multiple treatment comparison meta-analyses are systematic reviews that allow to make direct or indirect comparisons of different interventions from the data collection results of randomized clinical trials, grouping them in a common outcome or conglomerate which is expressed quantitatively. Other names given are network meta-analyses, or mixed treatment comparison meta-analyses or indirect meta-analyses. The use of the comparison of several treatments allows a greater estimation of the intervention effect. This is a guide for the physician to make more accurate decisions and to apply better care criteria to their patients. This literature review should help the reader to perform an organized and adequate critical reading (according to the JAMA recommendations) of the multiple treatment comparison meta-analyses. The article is addressed to authors and editors, and it contains information on how this type of studies should be interpreted and communicated.