Table 2

The practical impact on conclusions of three meta-analyses submitted to publication bias adjustment.

Authors
Topic
Comparison
Outcome
Non-adjusted meta-analysis conclusion (transcription)
Adjusted meta-analysis conclusion

Hopkins 14
Antibiotic prophylaxis regimens for cesarean section
Any single dose of systemic antibiotic versus any multiple dose
Endometritis
"There is no evidence from this meta-analysis to recommend multiple doses of antibiotics"
Any single dose systemic regimen (pre, post or intra-operative) may be more effective than any multiple dose regimen
Hodnett 15
Continuous support for women during childbirth
Continuous one-to-one intrapartum support versus usual care
Cesarean birth
"Women who had continuous, one-to-one support during labour were less likely to have a caesarean birth"
Continuous support may not reduce the occurrence of cesarean birth comparing to usual care.
Cheng 16
Interventions for emergency contraception
Mifepristone mid-dose (25–50 mg) versus low-doses (≤ 10 mg)
Observed number of pregnancies
"Although the overall meta-analysis shows fewer pregnancies with the mid-dose... when the analysis is limited to the five trials with adequate allocation concealment...this effect is no longer evident"
Mifepristone mid-doses (25–50 mg) may not be more effective than low doses (≤ 10 mg)

Souza et al. Reproductive Health 2007 4:3   doi:10.1186/1742-4755-4-3