STUDY ON STATA SOFTWARE IN INVESTIGATING PUBLICATION BIAS IN META-ANALYSIS

[Objective]To explore the application of Stata software in investigating publication bias in meta-analysis.[Methods]The corresponding commands of four methods in Stata9 software were applied to the analysis of the example in the study. The four methods were funnel plot,Begg’s adjusted rank correlation test,Egger’s regression test,trim and fill method.[Results]Fine plots,which were funnel plot,Begg’s funnel plot,Egger’s regression plot,trim and fill funnel plot,were produced by the four methods respectively. The results of Begg’s test(z = 0.81,P = 0.417)and Egger’s test(t = 1.19,P = 0.254)were not statistically significant. Four missing studies were filled by the trim and fill method. LogRR and its 95%CI were 0.022[-0.015,0.058]and 0.012[-0.021,0.046]respectively before and after the application of trim and fill method.[Conclusion]There is no publication bias in the meta-analysis of the example by the four methods. The merit of Stata software is that it can complete to investigate publication bias in meta-analysis efficiently,quickly and conveniently.