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arXiv · 2302.14243

metamedian: An R package for meta-analyzing studies reporting medians

Sean McGrath·XiaoFei Zhao·Omer Ozturk·Stephan Katzenschlager·Russell Steele·Andrea Benedetti
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Abstract

When performing an aggregate data meta-analysis of a continuous outcome, researchers often come across primary studies that report the sample median of the outcome. However, standard meta-analytic methods typically cannot be directly applied in this setting. In recent years, there has been substantial development in statistical methods to incorporate primary studies reporting sample medians in meta-analysis, yet there are currently no comprehensive software tools implementing these methods. In this paper, we present the metamedian R package, a freely available and open-source software tool for meta-analyzing primary studies that report sample medians. We summarize the main features of the software and illustrate its application through real data examples involving risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19.

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Sean McGrath, XiaoFei Zhao, Omer Ozturk, Stephan Katzenschlager, Russell Steele, Andrea Benedetti. 2023-02-28. metamedian: An R package for meta-analyzing studies reporting medians. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrsm.1686

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