Characteristics of empirical indirect comparison meta-analytic applications in the study of drugs, n=361
| Characteristics | n | % |
| Area of study | ||
| Blood disorders | 1 | 0.3 |
| Cancers | 45 | 12.5 |
| Cardiovascular disorders | 79 | 21.9 |
| Dermatology/skin disorders | 11 | 3.0 |
| Endocrine/metabolic disorders | 18 | 5.0 |
| Gastrointestinal disorders | 8 | 2.2 |
| Genitourinary disorders | 4 | 1.1 |
| Infectious diseases | 36 | 10.0 |
| Musculoskeletal disorders | 45 | 12.5 |
| Neurologic disorders | 21 | 5.8 |
| Ophthalmic disorders | 6 | 1.7 |
| Pain | 20 | 5.5 |
| Pregnancy | 4 | 1.1 |
| Psychiatric disorders | 31 | 8.6 |
| Renal disorders | 2 | 0.6 |
| Respiratory disorders | 16 | 4.4 |
| Sexual health | 6 | 1.7 |
| Surgery | 8 | 2.2 |
| Primary outcome | ||
| Efficacy only | 249 | 69.0 |
| Safety only | 23 | 6.4 |
| Both efficacy and safety | 89 | 24.6 |
| Terminology | ||
| Adjusted indirect comparison | 75 | 20.8 |
| Bucher’s method | 88 | 24.4 |
| Indirect comparison | 45 | 12.5 |
| Matching-adjusted indirect comparison | 6 | 1.7 |
| Mixed treatment comparison | 95 | 26.3 |
| Multiple treatments meta-analysis | 29 | 8.0 |
| Network meta-analysis | 137 | 38.0 |
| Network diagram(s) | 161 | 44.6 |
| Interventions* | ||
| 3 | 7 | 4.3 |
| 4 | 16 | 9.9 |
| 5 | 23 | 14.3 |
| 6 | 24 | 14.9 |
| 7 | 18 | 11.2 |
| 8 | 17 | 10.6 |
| 9 | 14 | 8.7 |
| 10–19 | 30 | 18.6 |
| 20+ | 12 | 7.4 |
*Based on the total number of interventions studied, indicated in the network diagram(s) published, n=161.