Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Concerns About Heterogeneity Assessment in Statistics of Meta-analyses; a Letter to the Editor

Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine, Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026), 1 October 2025 , Page e15
https://doi.org/10.22037/aaem.v14i1.2722

Abstract

The rapid growth of diagnostic meta-analyses has highlighted concerns regarding heterogeneity assessment and statistical model selection. Although heterogeneity is commonly evaluated using the Cochrane Q test and I² statistic, conceptual and methodological judgment should guide model choice. Inadequate reporting of statistical models and reliance on software default settings can lead to discrepancies in pooled diagnostic estimates. Differences between Meta-DiSc and MIDAS are minimal under low heterogeneity but become pronounced with high heterogeneity, underscoring the need for transparent reporting and informed methodological decisions.

Keywords:
  • Meta-analysis
  • Statistics
  • Heterogeneity
  • Systematic Review

How to Cite

1.
Karami M, Farrokhi M. Concerns About Heterogeneity Assessment in Statistics of Meta-analyses; a Letter to the Editor. Arch Acad Emerg Med [Internet]. 2026 May 29 [cited 2026 Sep. 28];14(1):e15. Available from: https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/aaem/index.php/AAEM/article/view/2722

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