original link source: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/CRDWeb/ShowRecord.asp?ID=12009104538
Reference: Cancer 2009; 115(3): 531-539
Source: DARE
Date published: 15/02/2011 14:53
Summary
by: Hazel Burnham
CRD Summary: The authors concluded that oestrogen therapy use increased ovarian cancer in a duration-dependent manner; adding progestins appeared to reduce this effect to some extent. The conclusions appeared to be supported by the evidence but the limited search, lack of reporting of review methods and study quality, and reliance upon predominantly observational studies mean that findings should be interpreted with caution.
CRD Commentary: The review question was stated and appropriate inclusion criteria were defined. Limiting the search to English language published studies identified in one database plus references and linked articles may have resulted in the omission of other relevant studies and raised the potential for publication and language bias. However, no evidence of publication bias was found. Methods used to select studies and extract data were not described, so it is not known whether efforts were made to reduce reviewer errors and bias. Study validity was not assessed, so results from these studies and any synthesis may not be reliable.
Other than duration of oestrogen-only therapy/oestrogen plus progestin therapy use, no information was provided about participants. No information was provided about which potential confounders were adjusted for in individual studies. Data were pooled using meta-analysis and heterogeneity was assessed. Studies were predominantly observational and adjustments were made for potential confounders. The authors’ conclusions appeared to be supported by the evidence, but the limited search, lack of reporting of review methods and study quality, and reliance upon predominantly observational studies mean that findings should be interpreted with caution.
CRD Commentary: The review question was stated and appropriate inclusion criteria were defined. Limiting the search to English language published studies identified in one database plus references and linked articles may have resulted in the omission of other relevant studies and raised the potential for publication and language bias. However, no evidence of publication bias was found. Methods used to select studies and extract data were not described, so it is not known whether efforts were made to reduce reviewer errors and bias. Study validity was not assessed, so results from these studies and any synthesis may not be reliable.
Other than duration of oestrogen-only therapy/oestrogen plus progestin therapy use, no information was provided about participants. No information was provided about which potential confounders were adjusted for in individual studies. Data were pooled using meta-analysis and heterogeneity was assessed. Studies were predominantly observational and adjustments were made for potential confounders. The authors’ conclusions appeared to be supported by the evidence, but the limited search, lack of reporting of review methods and study quality, and reliance upon predominantly observational studies mean that findings should be interpreted with caution.
About this library entry
Category: 6.4.1 Female sex hormones | Cancer: gynaecological | Menopause / hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
NeLM area: Evidence > Medication Safety
