While preparing a meta-analysis on the efficacy of a novel antidiabetic drug, a reviewer suspects that small trials showing no benefit were never submitted for publication. Which graphic tool is most appropriate to detect this problem?

• A Funnel plot ✓
• B Forest plot
• C L'Abbe plot
• D Galbraith plot

Explanation

Publication bias preferentially suppresses small studies with null results, producing an asymmetric funnel plot when study effect estimates are plotted against their precision. In the absence of bias, plots scatter symmetrically around the pooled estimate. B forest plot displays individual and pooled effects but cannot reveal selective reporting, and L'Abbe and Galbraith plots serve other purposes such as heterogeneity exploration.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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