Applying the Instrument to assess the Credibility of Effect Modification Analyses (ICEMAN) in a meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Subgroup analyses are relatively easy to perform but can be difficult to interpret. Credibility is often low, whereas the risk of over-interpretation is high. ICEMAN is a structured approach generated through expert consensus and provides eight items for judging the credibility of subgroup effects identified in a meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: Learn how to apply ICEMAN to an apparent subgroup effect and, if credible, how to design a corresponding GRADE summary of findings table. DESCRIPTION: Participants will apply ICEMAN to examples from the literature. We will discuss, for each item, conceptual and practical challenges. The workshop does not include statistical exercises; the focus is on the interpretation and reporting of subgroup effects. Participants should bring their laptop, if available, and are welcome to discuss their own examples. Key references: (1) Schandelmaier et al. CMAJ, 2020: Doi: 10.1503/cmaj.200077 (2) Guyatt et al. J Clin Epidemiol, 2023: Title: “GRADE Guidance 36: Updates to GRADE’s approach to addressing inconsistency” (in press)
2Johns Hopkins University, United States
3Brown University, United States
4The George institute for Global Heath, India
5University of Michigan, United States
6Biostat, United States
7University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
8Sichuan University, China
9University of Freiburg, Germany
10McMaster University, Canada
11Stanford University, United States