OBJECTIVES: To develop a user-friendly decision algorithm to help define the best approach when conducting a feasibility assessment of an Indirect Treatment Comparison (ITC).

METHODS: Recommendations from NICE, including their Technical Support Documents (TSDs) related to ITCs and comparative effectiveness were reviewed and used to develop the decision algorithm.

RESULTS: NICE guidelines and TSDs were reviewed to identify current methodological guidelines for conducting ITCs. A decision algorithm was developed to synthesize in simple terms the current state of the art for ITC. Decision nodes rely on simple assessment including network connectivity, access to patient level data, presence or extent of heterogeneity in the evidence. Approaches considered include standard network meta-analysis, population-adjusted ITC, propensity score approach or multi-level network meta-regression.

CONCLUSIONS: This proposed decision algorithm provides a synthesis of current NICE TSD guidelines and can be used to help identify the most appropriate approach to use when conducting an ITC.