Figure3 Sensitivity analysis for
OS(A) and PFS(B).
Publication Bias and
Cumulative Analysis
We use funnel plot and Egger’s test as well as Begg’s test to detect
publication bias. For OS, the conventional funnel plot seems symmetric
(Figure 4A), however, the result of Egger’s test and Begg’s test
(Egger’s test, P = 0.0407; Begg’s test, P = 0.0487) implied that
publication bias may exist.
Furthermore, we made funnel plot of
precision by log hazard ratio (Figure 4B), and the result showed some
asymmetries. Hence, we suspect publication bias did exist for OS.
For PFS, the publication bias was not detected. Both conventional funnel
plot and precise funnel plot were symmetric (Figure 4C and 4D). The
result of Egger’s test and Begg’s test also support that (Egger’s test,
P = 0.272; Begg’s test, P = 0.348).
We also made cumulative analysis presented in Figure5A and 5B, the
result demonstrated the negative influence of PPIs use with the passage
of time and appearance of more evidence.