Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
Staff
Dr. Katrin Jensen (Head of the Working Group)
Dr. Lorenz Uhlmann
Matthes Hackbusch
Research topics:
- multiple treatment comparisons (MTCs)
- meta-analysis with survival data
- sequential meta-analysis
Research projects (examples):
Cochrane Intervention Review: Perioperative chemo(radio)therapy versus primary surgery for resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction and esophagus
Cooperation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, University of Heidelberg
Motivation of systematic review:
- poor outcome for advanced disease even if resectable
- several studies assessing perioperative chemotherapy
- identify, appraise, select and synthesize all evidence
PICO-scheme:
Patients
locoregionally advanced adenocarcinoma
resectable, previously untreated
absence of distant or peritoneal metastases
Intervention
perioperative chemotherapy + surgery
Comparator
surgery alone
Outcomes
overall survival, disease-free survival
Literature search: Medline, Embase, LILACS and others
14 randomized controlled trials included:

Publication:
- Ronellenfitsch U, Schwarzbach M, Hofheinz R, Kienle P, Kieser M, Slanger TE, Burmeister B, Ychou M, Kelsen D, Niedzwiecki D, Schuhmacher C, Urba S, van de Velde C, Walsh TN, Jensen K (2013): Preoperative chemo(radio)therapy versus primary surgery for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: Systematic review with meta-analysis combining individual patient and aggregate data. European Journal of Cancer; online first: DOI
- Ronellenfitsch U, Schwarzbach M, Hofheinz R, Kienle P, Kieser M, Slanger TE, Jensen K, GE and the Adenocarcinoma Meta-analysis Group (2013): Perioperative chemo(radio)therapy versus primary surgery for resectable adenocarcinoma of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction and lower esophagus (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD008107. DOI
Diagnostic Test Accuracy Review: Screening and diagnostic instruments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
Cooperation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Frankfurt am Main
Motivation of systematic review:
- lack of comprehensive review on screening and diagnostic test
- base for the development of a german guideline for clinicians, patients, and parents
- stimulation to develop better diagnostic tools for adults with ASD
PICO-scheme:
Patients | patients with diagnosis of ASD, control group without ASD |
Intervention | screening or diagnostic instrument |
Comparator | another screening or diagnostic instrument (if comparison available) |
Outcomes | accurate diagnosis measured by sensitivity and specificity |
Literature search: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, Psyndex, Hogrefe, WPS
About 60 screening and diagnostic instruments have to be assessed:

