Dear list; 

we are doing systematic review of the effectiveness of DC beads and conventional chemotherapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma, and we found only 2 RCTs and 5 cohort studies that fulfill our inclusion criteria. My Q: is it appropriate to combine these studies although of different designs? bear in mind that it is uncommon disease. ..

Another Q that we debated with the research team; what is the level of heterogeneity that could be acceptable to combine the effect  size?

Appreciate your feedback

Samia

Dr. Samia Alhabib, MD, PhD