Table 2 Quality of evidence of the studies that compared HFNC to COT that were included in the meta-analysis, according to Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)
Outcomes | Anticipated absolute effects (95% CI) | Relative effect OR, (95% CI) | Participants (studies), n | Risk of bias | Inconsistency | Indirection | Imprecision | Publication bias | Quality of the evidence (GRADE) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Risk with COT | Risk with HFNC | |||||||||
Intubation rate | 102/907 (11.2%) | 67/947 (7.0%) | 0.52 (0.34, 0.79) | 1854 (8 RCTs) | Seriousa | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Undetected | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Mechanical ventilation rate | 145/937 (15.5%) | 98/977 (10.0%) | 0.56 (0.33, 0.97) | 1914 (9 RCTs) | Seriousa | Seriousb | Not serious | Not serious | Undetected | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Escalation rate | 167/937 (17.8%) | 98/977 (10.0%) | 0.45 (0.31, 0.67) | 1914 (9 RCTs) | Seriousa | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Undetected | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Mortality | 51/732 (6.8%) | 57/765 (7.4%) | 1.01 (0.67, 1.53) | 1497 (5 RCTs) | Seriousa | Not serious | Not serious | Seriousc | Undetected | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |