A consumers guide to subgroup analyses

Author(s): Guyatt, G.

Journal/Book: Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116: 78-84.

Abstract: The extent to which a clinician should believe and act an the results of subgroup analyses of data from randomized trials or meta-analyses is controversial. Guidelines are provided in this paper for making these decisions. The strength of Inference regarding a proposed difference In treatment effect among subgroups is dependent an the magnitude of the difference, the statistical significance of the difference, whether the hypothesis preceded or followed the analysis, whether the subgroup analysis was one of a small number of hypotheses tested, whether the difference was suggested by comparisons within or between studies, the consistency of the difference, and the existence of indirect evidence that supports the difference. Application of these guidelines will assist clinicians in making decisions regarding whether to base a treatment decision an overall results or an the results of a subgroup analysis.

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