Ratio of means for analyzing continuous outcomes in meta-analysis performed as well as mean difference methods

OBJECTIVE: Meta-analyses of continuous outcomes typically use mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) (MD in pooled standard deviation units). Ratio of means (RoM) is an alternative effect measure that performs comparably in simulation. We compared treatment effects and heterogeneity for RoM, MD, and SMD using empiric data. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: From the Cochrane Database (2008, issue 1), we included systematic …