Table 2 Comparison of results from the meta-analysis of real-world studies that include three or more investigations, and from previously published meta-analyses based on RCTs.

From: A meta-analysis of effectiveness of real-world studies of antipsychotics in schizophrenia: Are the results consistent with the findings of randomized controlled trials?

Comparisons (three or more RWS in each)a

Number of RWS included

Findings conclusive (Yes/No)b

Individual study estimates are consistent (Yes/No)c

RR (95% CI) of our meta-analysis (based on RWS)d

RR (95% CI) of reference meta-analyses

Source of meta-analyses

Evaluation of congruency

Primary benchmark

Secondary benchmark

OLA-RIS

8

Yes

Yes

0.71 (0.59–0.85)

0.88 (0.83–0.93) congruent results

0.80 (0.71–0.90) congruent results

Primary: Kishimoto

Secondary: Soares-Weiser

OLA-QUE

5

Yes

Yes

0.72 (0.56–0.92)

0.79 (0.71–0.89) congruent results

 

Primary: Kishimoto

HAL-RIS

5

Yes

Yes

1.60 (1.43–1.79)

0.87 (0.31–2.44) incongruent results

 

Primary: Samara

RIS LAI-RIS

4

Yes

Yes

0.60 (0.50–0.73)

1.17 (0.95–1.44) incongruent results

1.28 (0.92–1.79) incongruent results

Primary: Otsuzzi

Secondary: Sampson

AMI-OLA

3

Yes

Yes

1.45 (1.34–1.58)

1.07 (0.91–1.27) congruent results

 

Primary: Kishimoto

ARI-OLA

3

Yes

Yes

1.14 (1.07–1.20)

1.17 (1.05–1.30) congruent results

 

Primary: Kishimoto

ARI-RIS LAI

3

Yes

Yes

1.26 (1.13–1.42)

1.20 (0.77–1.89) congruent results

 

Primary: Sampson

CLO-HAL

3

Yes

Yes

0.33 (0.14–0.75)

0.53 (0.29–1.12) congruent results

 

Primary: Samara

AMI-RIS LAI

3

Yes

Yes

1.52 (1.26–1.82)

   

CLO-RIS LAI

3

Yes

Yes

1.36 (1.12–1.65)

   

HAL-QUE

3

Yes

Yes

1.55 (1.35–1.78)

   

QUE-RIS LAI

3

Yes

Yes

1.33 (1.09–1.63)

   

HAL-OLA

5

Yes

No

1.73 (1.22–2.46)

1.54 (0.94–2.56) congruent results

1.40 (1.20–1.70) congruent results

Primary: Soares-Weiser

Secondary: Beasley

CLO-OLA

4

No

No

0.96 (0.63–1.47)

1.01 (0.86–1.18) congruent results

1.05 (0.75–1.47) congruent results

Primary: Kishimoto

Secondary: Soares-Weiser

QUE-RIS

4

No

No

0.84 (0.63–1.13)

1.07 (0.98–1.18) incongruent results

 

Primary: Kishimoto

OLA-RIS LAI

4

No

No

1.13 (0.99–1.30)

   

CLO-RIS

3

No

No

0.76 (0.42–1.38)

0.74 (0.57–0.95) congruent results

 

Primary: Kishimoto

  1. AMI amisulpride, ARI aripiprazole, CI confidence interval, CLO clozapine, HAL haloperidol, OLA olanzapine, QUE quetiapine, RR relative risk, RIS risperidone, RIS LAI long acting injectable of risperidone.
  2. aAPs underlined indicates superiority over their pairs compared to.
  3. bIt indicates statistically significant difference between the two APs (13/17 AP pairs).
  4. cPoint in the same direction.
  5. dWe identified 12 out of 17 comparisons with both RWS and RCT meta-analyses available.
Back to article page