[R] Comparing summary hazard ratios in meta-analysis

[Michael Dewey]

On 21/11/2014 08:51, Mario Petretta wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> I use R 3.1.1 for Windows.
>
> I performed two different meta-analysis assessing the prognostic value of
> two different tests in patients with coronary artery disease. The study
> included in the two analysis are different.

That makes life simpler.

>
> The variable of interest in dichotomous (normal/abnormal result) for both
> tests.
>
> The effects size is hazard ratio and its standard error (ln units) for both
> meta-analysis.

It sounds as though you might want to use meta-regression. You will need 
a single data frame containing at least log hr, se of log hr, an 
identifier for the test. I would use the metafor package for this, look 
in the documentation for how to incorporate a moderator (your test 
variable). The advantage of meta-regression is that you not only get a 
test but also a measure of how different the hr are with a confidence 
interval.

>
> I would like to statistically compare the two summary hazard ratios and 95%
> CI (eform) obtained from the two meta-analysis.
>
> For one meta-analysis: HR 3.12 (95% CI 2.2 - 4.1)
> For the other: HR 1.25 (95% CI 1.03 - 2.6)
>
> It is possible or I'm comparing apples with oranges?
>
> Any suggestion is welcome.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Mario Petretta
> Associate Professor of Internal Medicine
> Department of Translational Medical Sciences Naples
> University Federico II Italy
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---
> Questa e-mail è stata controllata per individuare virus con Avast antivirus.
> http://www.avast.com
>
> ______________________________________________
> R-help at r-project.org mailing list
> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help
> PLEASE do read the posting guide http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
> and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4213/8604 - Release Date: 11/21/14
>

-- 
Michael
http://www.dewey.myzen.co.uk