Table 1 Results of comparisons between experimental and control treatments. Figures are number (percentage)

Control better No significant difference Experimental better Geometric mean effect size (95% CI) All comparisons (n=103) 3 (2.9) 70 (68.0) 30 (29.1) 1.20* (1.13 to 1.28) Response rate comparisons (n=42) 1 (2.4) 33 (78.6) 8 (19.1) 1.11 (1.01 to 1.22) Survival comparisons (n=41) 2 (4.9) 33 (80.5) 6 (14.6) 1.11¶ (1.03 to 1.19) Other time to event comparisons (n=59) 1 (1.7) 35 (59.3) 23 (39.0) 1.28** (1.16 to 1.41)

^* Effect sizes could be calculated for 101 randomisations.

Some randomisations reported two or more primary end points. Consequently, numbers for response rate, survival, and other time to event comparisons total more than 103.

P=0.03 for comparison of study outcome by end point (Fisher's exact test).

P=0.01 for comparison of effect sizes by end point (one way analysis of variance).

^¶ Effect size could be calculated for 40 randomisations evaluating survival.

^** Effect size could be calculated for 57 randomisations evaluating other time to event end points.