Table 1.

Summary of steps of a conventional systematic review and additional considerations for a network meta-analysis

Steps of a Systematic Review	Considerations for a Network Meta-analysis
1. Define the review question and eligibility criteria	- Question should benefit from network meta- analysis - Define the treatment network
2. Search for and select studies	- Ensure search is broad enough to capture treatments of interest
3. Abstract data and assess risk of bias	- Abstract information on potential effect modifiers which may violate the assumption of transitivity
4. Synthesize evidence qualitatively	- Evaluate the network geometry - Evaluate transitivity
5. Synthesize evidence quantitatively	- Conduct pairwise meta-analyses first - Use statistical models appropriate for network meta-analysis - Evaluate inconsistency - Summarize results using approaches suitable for network meta-analysis, such as league tables - If ranking, use appropriate ranking statistics, such as SUCRA
6. Interpret results and draw conclusions	- Carefully interpret results, especially rankings - Interpret results in context of outcomes examined - If using GRADE approach to evaluate quality of evidence, adapt for network meta-analysis
7. Report findings	- Follow the PRISMA extension for network meta- analysis