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HomeArticlesVol 35,2025 No.12Detail

An introduction to Risk of Bias in Network Meta-analysis (RoB NMA) tool

Published on Dec. 29, 2025Total Views: 11623 timesTotal Downloads: 1644 timesDownloadMobile

Author: ZHAO Wenshuo 1, 2 LIU Ming 3, 4 SHI Jiyuan 5 LI Lun 6, 7 YANG Fengwen 8, 9 XUE Fuzhong 1, 2 GAO Ya 1, 2

Affiliation: 1. Department of Medical Dataology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250003, China 2. National Institute of Health Data Science of China, Jinan 250003, China 3. Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore 4. Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China 5. School of Nursing, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China 6. Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China 7. Clinical Research Center for Breast of Hunan Province, Changsha 410011, China 8. Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China 9. Key Laboratory of Evidence-Based Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Medical Products Administration, Tianjin 301617, China

Keywords: Systematic review Network-Meta-analysis RoB NMA Risk of bias Interpretation

DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202507209

Reference: Zhao WS, Liu M, Shi JY, Li L, Yang FW, Xue FZ, Gao Y. An introduction to Risk of Bias in Network Meta-analysis (RoB NMA) tool[J]. Yixue Xinzhi Zazhi, 2025, 35(12): 1454-1463. DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202507209. [Article in Chinese]

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Abstract

Existing risk of bias assessment tools are primarily designed for traditional pairwise Meta-analysis and fail to comprehensively evaluate the unique sources of bias risk inherent in network Meta-analysis. Therefore, Lunny and others developed a tool the Risk of Bias in Network Meta-analysis (RoB NMA), designed specifically to evaluate potential biases in network Meta-analysis arising from aspects such as intervention selection and network structure, effect modifiers, and statistical analysis. This article aims to interpret the development background, item content, and evaluation process of the RoB NMA tool, providing reference and guidance for domestic researchers of its application.

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References

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