Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40143401›Full record

ArticleRenal failure2025

Critical appraisal of systematic reviews and meta-analyses: a step-by-step guide for nephrologists.

Wisit Cheungpasitporn, Wannasit Wathanavasin, Charat Thongprayoon, Wisit Kaewput, Mihály Tapolyai, Tibor Fülöp

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Renal failure, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 10 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
11citing papers in PubMed, 10 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

11 citing papers in PubMed, 10 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  10. Guideline
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Wisit CheungpasitpornDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9954-9711
Wannasit WathanavasinDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1765-6159
Charat ThongprayoonDivision of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-8313-3604
Wisit KaewputDepartment of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.ORCID 0000-0003-2920-7235
Mihály TapolyaiDepartment of Nephrology, Szent Margit Kórház, Budapest, Hungary.ORCID 0000-0002-2915-3962
Tibor FülöpMedicine Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-3346-7040

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSystematic reviews and meta-analyses play a pivotal role in evidence-based medicine, including nephrology, by consolidating findings from multiple studies. To maximize their utility, rigorous quality assessment during peer review is essential. Challenges such as heterogeneity, bias, and methodological flaws often undermine these studies, necessitating a structured appraisal process.

methodsThis guide outlines a framework for nephrologists on appraising systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Key areas include heterogeneity assessment using the I

resultsThe I

conclusionBy focusing on key areas such as heterogeneity, risk of bias, and robust statistical methods, this guide enables nephrologists to critically appraise systematic reviews and meta-analyses, fostering better clinical decision-making and improved patient care in nephrology.

Indexed as

Evidence-Based MedicineMeta-Analysis as TopicNephrologistsNephrologySystematic Reviews as TopicHumansPublication Biasheterogeneitymedical educationmeta-analysesnephrologyrisk of biasSystematic reviews

Identifiers

PMID40143401
PMCPMC11951313

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.