Table 3 Quality of evidence of studies that compared HFNC to NIV 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 NIV | Risk with HFNC | |||||||||
Intubation rate | 172/841 (20.5%) | 164/810 (20.9%) | 0.96 (0.66, 1.39) | 1651 (3 RCTs) | Seriousa | Seriousb1 | Not serious | Seriousc | Undetected | ⨁◯◯◯ Very low |
Escalation rate | 206/841 (24.5%) | 198/810 (24.4%) | 1.00 (0.77, 1.28) | 1651 (3 RCTs) | Seriousa | Not serious | Not serious | Seriousc | Undetected | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Mortality | 68/841 (8.1%) | 59/810 (7.3%) | 0.85 (0.43, 1.68) | 1651 (3 RCTs) | Seriousa | Seriousb2 | Not serious | Seriousc | Undetected | ⨁◯◯◯ Very low |