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Table 2 The practical impact on conclusions of three meta-analyses submitted to publication bias adjustment.

From: Assessment of funnel plot asymmetry and publication bias in reproductive health meta-analyses: an analytic survey

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)