Table 3 Evaluations for the potential publication bias within the meta-analysis
Groups of outcomes | Studies(n) | Estimates | Begg’s test (p value) | Egger’s test (p value) | Publication bias |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age(≥ 65 vs. <65 years) | 3 | OR with 95% CI | 1.000 | 0.517 | Not significant |
Gender(Male vs. Female) | 6 | OR with 95% CI | 0.260 | 0.498 | Not significant |
Tumor grade(low vs. high) | 4 | OR with 95% CI | 0.308 | 0.060 | Not significant |
LN metastasis(Positive vs. negative) | 5 | OR with 95% CI | 0.806 | 0.021 | Significant |
Tumor stage(Ta-2 vs. T3-4) | 5 | OR with 95% CI | 1.000 | 0.066 | Not significant |
Recurrence vs. No recurrence | 4 | OR with 95% CI | 0.734 | 0.277 | Not significant |
Prognostic significance | 5 | HR with 95% CI | 0.308 | 0.112 | Not significant |