Network Meta-Analysis Methodology

Comprehensive methodological guidance for conducting rigorous network meta-analysis following NICE DSU and PRISMA-NMA guidelines.

When to Use This Skill

• Planning a network meta-analysis
• Assessing transitivity and consistency
• Interpreting treatment rankings
• Choosing between frequentist and Bayesian NMA
• Designing NMA sensitivity analyses
• Reviewing NMA code or results

Fundamental Assumptions

1. Transitivity Assumption

Definition: If we can estimate A vs B directly and B vs C directly, we can estimate A vs C indirectly, provided the studies are sufficiently similar.