Bayesian Inference on Risk Differences: An Application to Multivariate Meta-Analysis of Adverse Events in Clinical Trials

Yong Chen, Sheng Luo, Haitao Chu, Peng Wei

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multivariate meta-analysis is useful in combining evidence from independent studies that involve several comparisons among groups based on a single outcome. For binary outcomes, the commonly used statistical models for multivariate meta-analysis are multivariate generalized linear mixed effects models which assume risks, after some transformation, follow a multivariate normal distribution with possible correlations. In this article, we consider an alternative model for multivariate meta-analysis where the risks are modeled by the multivariate beta distribution proposed by Sarmanov. This model has several attractive features compared to the conventional multivariate generalized linear mixed effects models, including simplicity of likelihood function, no need to specify a link function, and a closed-form expression of distribution functions for study-specific risk differences. We investigate the finite sample performance of this model through simulation studies and illustrate its use with an application to multivariate meta-analysis of adverse events of tricyclic antidepressant treatment in clinical trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)142-155
Number of pages14
JournalStatistics in Biopharmaceutical Research
Volume5
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2013

Keywords

  • Bivariate beta-binomial model
  • Exact method
  • Hypergeometric function
  • Relative risk
  • Sarmanov family

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistics and Probability
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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