Comparative effectiveness reviews and the impact of funding bias.

Abstract

To estimate the impact of funding bias on results and conclusions of comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs), we have reanalyzed data of a recent CER on second-generation antidepressants [ [1] ]. A limitation of our study was the underlying premise that no substantial differences in efficacy exist among second-generation antidepressants. Although most systematic reviews support similarity in efficacy, a recent study has raised doubts about the correctness of this assumption