Table 2.
Certainty of evidence of each outcome
| Outcome | Study results and measurements | Absolute effect estimates | Certainty of the evidence | Plain language summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | L-carnitine | ||||
| AEs |
Relative risk: 0.72 (CI 95% 0.47–1.08) Based on data from 192 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12 weeks |
323 per 1000 | 233 per 1000 | Moderatea | L-carnitine probably has little or no difference on AEs |
| Difference: 90 fewer per 1000 (CI 95% 171 fewer to 26 more) | |||||
| Changes in the AST level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 406 participants in 6 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
6.85 | Lowb | L-carnitine may increase changes in the AST level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 15.89 lower (CI 95% 29.87 lower to 1.91 lower) | |||||
| Changes in the ALT level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 406 participants in 6 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
11.15 | Lowb | L-carnitine may increase changes in the ALT level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 26.38 lower (CI 95% 45.46 lower to 7.30 lower) | |||||
| Changes in the γ-GT level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 204 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
12.9 | Lowb | L-carnitine may have little or no difference in changes in the γ-GT level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 8.88 lower (CI 95% 25.43 lower to 7.67 lower) | |||||
| Changes in the HDL cholesterol level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 204 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
0.5 | Moderatea | L-carnitine probably increases changes in the HDL cholesterol level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 1.14 higher (CI 95% 0.21 higher to 2.07 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the LDL cholesterol level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 204 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
5.4 | Lowb | L-carnitine may have little or no difference in changes in the LDL cholesterol level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 6.8 lower (CI 95% 23.27 lower to 9.68 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the total cholesterol level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 186 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
6 | Lowb | L-carnitine may have little or no difference in changes in the Total cholesterol level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 11.8 lower (CI 95% 27.13 lower to 3.53 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the triglyceride level |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 264 participants in 4 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
6.24 | Moderatea | L-carnitine probably increases changes in the triglyceride level | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 6.92 lower (CI 95% 13.82 lower to 0.07 lower) | |||||
| Changes in the BMI |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 417 participants in 6 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
0.45 | Moderatea | L-carnitine probably has little or no difference in changes in the BMI | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 0 lower (CI 95% 0.23 lower to 0.24 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the waist circumference |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 211 participants in 3 studies Follow-up 12 weeks |
1.5 | Lowb | L-carnitine may have little or no difference in changes in the waist circumference | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 0.57 lower (CI 95% 1.82 lower to 0.67 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the weight |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 291 participants in 4 studies Follow-up 12/24 weeks |
0.6 | Moderatea | L-carnitine probably has little or no difference in changes in the weight | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 0.2 lower (CI 95% 0.5 lower to 0.09 higher) | |||||
| Changes in the hs-CRP |
Measured by: Scale: high better Based on data from 123 participants in 2 studies Follow-up 12 weeks |
0.27 | Very lowc | We are uncertain whether L-carnitine increases or decreases changes in the hs-CRP | |
| Mean | Mean | ||||
| Difference: MD 1.03 lower (CI 95% 3.23 lower to 1.16 higher) | |||||
aRated down 1 level for risk of bias due to incomplete data
bRated down 2 levels for risk of bias due to incomplete data and for serious inconsistency due to statistical heterogeneity
cRated down 2 levels for risk of bias due to incomplete data, for serious inconsistency due to statistical heterogeneity, and for serious imprecision due to few patients