Pooled analysis

A pooled analysis is a statistical technique for combining the results of multiple epidemiological studies.

Pooled analyses may be either retrospective or prospective.

[1] It is often used when the results of individual studies do not allow for a firm conclusion to be drawn.

[2] Unlike meta-analyses, pooled analyses can only be conducted if the included studies used the same study design and statistical models, and if their respective populations were homogeneous.

If individual-level data from the included studies is available, the result of a pooled analysis can be considered more reliable.