AbangeLabsPublication bias is systematically under-tested in NMA dossiers — a scoping review of 22 critical appraisal instruments confirms no standardised decision rules exist. Comparison-adjusted funnel plots should be mandatory in HTA submissions: https://www.mattheneus.com/editorial/fallback-canary-publication-bias-nma-comparison-adjusted-funnel-plot-playbook-2026-03-28 #HTA #NMA #EvidenceSynthesis #RegulatoryAffairs
Publication Bias in Network Meta-Analysis: Why Comparison-Adjusted Funnel Plots Should Be Standard in HTA Submissions
A scoping review of 22 NMA critical appraisal instruments (Mondragon et al., J Clin Epidemiol, 2026) confirms that publication bias lacks standardised decision rules across all major tools. Comparison-adjusted funnel plots and selection model diagnostics are often absent from HTA submissions even as NICE and EU JCA assessors flag the omission. This playbook covers the three-layer protocol that should be standard in any NMA dossier.