Graphical portrait of meta-analysis results

The results of quantitative systematic reviews issued by Cochrame society, so-called meta-ananlysis, are formulated in graphics. This graphical form is arranged strictly in accordance with Cochrane data base standards for this type of investigations. Sometimes these specific graphics may occupy up to 90% of the review. They accumulate all valuable information that is necessary to assess the correctness of conducted meta-analysis, its strategy of searching for articles, date processing methods, pooled sample heterogeneity and statistical and clinical significance of results. To be able to find valuable information in meta-analysis graphical portrait quickly and effectively one needs to know what data is expressed in short signs and abbreviations and what it means. These questions are clarified in the article.

meta-analysis, forest graph, heterogeneity