[R-meta] Mata-analysis: combining retrospective studies and randomized trials

[Christian Mirian Larsen]

Dear all

My main question is "can retrospective studies and randomized controlled
trials be combined in a meta-analysis?".

E.g., I want to investigate the prophylactic effect of antiepileptic drugs
(AED) given to patients with brain tumors to prevent brain-tumor related
seizures.
I have found seven RCT that investigated this subject. Similarly, I have
found nine retrospective studies examining this topic by going through
patient records.

Can I pool the data from the RCT and RS into my matrix (AED/no AED vs.
seizures/no seizures) and conduct my meta-analysis based on these data?

And lastly, are you familiar to any (epidemiological/biostatistic) studies
addressing this specific topic on combining RCT and RS?

Thank you in advance

Regards,
Christian

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