Table 1 Trial methodological quality
From: Surfactant therapy for acute respiratory failure in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Trial | Allocation concealment reported? (Method used) | Who was reported to be blinded? (Who administered the intervention?) | Completeness of follow-up reported?a | Groups similar at baseline?b | Ventilation algorithm described? | Criteria for rescue therapyc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Luchetti, 1998 | Yes (sealed envelopes) | Not reported | Not reported | Yes | Yes | Not reported |
Willson, 1999 | Yes (opaque sealed envelopes) | Unblinded | 91% | Lower PRISM scores in control group (9 versus 12) | Yes | No |
Tibby, 2000 | Not reported | Care providers (investigators not involved in patient care) | Not reported | Yes | Yes | Not reported |
Luchetti, 2002 | Yes (sealed envelope) | Outcome assessors (investigators) | Not reported | Yes | Yes | No |
Moller, 2003 | Yes (central telephone) | Unblinded | 87% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Willson, 2005 | Yes (opaque sealed envelopes) | Care providers, investigators (respiratory therapist not involved in patient care) | 100% | More immunosuppressed in control group (30 versus 22) | Yes | No |