4.3 Between-study heterogeneity
Between-study heterogeneity is common in
meta-analysis.54 Moderate to high heterogeneity was
found in this analysis of hysterectomy and the risk of ischemic heart
disease. To explore the potential sources of between-study
heterogeneity, we performed the subgroup analyses and meta-regressions
with the covariates of publication year, continent and study design.
However, we did not find the factors as the important determinants in
the between-study heterogeneity.
We also conducted a leave-one-out sensitivity analysis to reduce the
heterogeneity. After excluding two studies, the heterogeneity decreased
and the results remained significant. It showed our result was stable.