In a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, heterogeneity among study results is assessed using which statistic?

• A Pearson's r
• B Cohen's kappa
• C Cronbach's alpha
• D I² statistic ✓

Explanation

The I² statistic quantifies the percentage of variability in a meta-analysis attributable to heterogeneity rather than chance; values of 25%, 50%, and 75% roughly indicate low, moderate, and high heterogeneity respectively. Cochran's Q test is used to test statistical significance of heterogeneity. Cohen's kappa measures inter-rater agreement; Cronbach's alpha measures internal consistency.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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