st: Meta analysis of studies with varying duration of follow-up

[Sripal Kumar <sripalkumar@gmail.com>]

Hi,

I am working on a meta analysis of randomized trials for an outcome
(categorical) for treatment vs. controls, but the studies all have
varying lengths of follow up.  The length of follow up between the
treatment and controls is the same but differs between studies.  What
would be a good approach to consider when pooling such data?

I considered using hazard ratios, but the issue is there are very few
studies which report that.  Do you think using person years (no of
patients x follow-up in years) and weighting the studies based on this
would be reasonable approach?

thanks,
Sripal.
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