Table 2.

Grading of recommendations

Strength of recommendations	Definition
Strong recommendation	The intervention/diagnostic test can be strongly recommended in most clinical practice, considering greater benefit than harm, evidence level, value and preference, and resources
Conditional recommendation	The intervention/diagnostic test can be conditionally recommended in clinical practice considering the balance of benefit and harm, evidence level, value and preference, and resources
Against recommendation	The harm caused by the intervention/diagnostic test maybe greater than its benefits. Moreover, considering the evidence level, value and preference, and resources, the intervention should not be recommended
Inconclusive	It is not possible to determine the strength and direction of recommendation because of a very low or insufficient evidence level, uncertain or variable balance of benefit and harm, value and preference, and resources
Expert consensusa)	Although clinical evidence is insufficient, it is recommended to be used in accordance with clinical experience and expert consensus when considering the benefits and risks of the treatment, the level of evidence, values and preferences, and resources

Each statement is shown as a combination of the strength of recommendations and level of evidence.

^a)In the case of a consensus statement by an expert opinion, the recommendation grade and level of evidence are not indicated.