Table 1 Summary of studies included in sensitivity analysis
|
|
Number of comparisons
|
Number of similar results
|
Number better in RCT
|
Number worse in RCT
|
Selection bias:
|
|
|
|
|
Low risk
|
6
|
6
|
—
|
—
|
No imbalance
|
22
|
19
|
1
|
2
|
Adjusted results
|
12
|
7
|
4
|
2
|
Partially controlled
|
18
|
15
|
2
|
1
|
Poorly controlled
|
33
|
30
|
3
|
—
|
Detection bias:
|
|
|
|
|
Low risk*
|
78
|
66
|
8
|
3
|
Partially met, similarly measured
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
High risk
|
8
|
8
|
—
|
—
|
Exclusion bias:
|
|
|
|
|
No losses to follow up
|
38
|
32
|
4
|
2
|
1 person to 20% lost to follow up
|
33
|
30
|
2
|
1
|
> 20% loss to follow up
|
11
|
10
|
—
|
1
|
Unclear
|
9
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
Reasons for non-participation:
|
|
|
|
|
Refused
|
27
|
18
|
7
|
2
|
Refused because of preference
|
23
|
20
|
1
|
2
|
RCT versus preference trial
|
16
|
15
|
—
|
1
|
Not invited
|
8
|
8
|
—
|
—
|
Treated by non-participating clinicians
|
1
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
Different skills required for treatment:
|
|
|
|
|
Surgery and procedures
|
28
|
25
|
1
|
2
|
Drug treatment
|
22
|
17
|
4
|
1
|
Radiology
|
14
|
12
|
1
|
1
|
Usual care
|
9
|
8
|
1
|
—
|
Counselling and education
|
8
|
8
|
—
|
—
|
Watchful waiting
|
7
|
6
|
—
|
1
|
Different clinical area:
|
|
|
|
|
Oncology
|
28
|
23
|
3
|
2
|
Obstetrics and gynaecology
|
14
|
12
|
2
|
1
|
Cardiology
|
13
|
10
|
2
|
1
|
Other internal medicine
|
11
|
9
|
2
|
—
|
Psychology and drug misuse
|
9
|
9
|
—
|
—
|
Paediatrics
|
8
|
7
|
—
|
1
|
Respiration
|
2
|
2
|
—
|
—
|
|
RCT=randomised controlled trial.
* Outcomes were measured in same way.