Table 3.

Five-point rating system developed to score the STROBE checklist

Rating	Explanation
1	Weak, main points missing, with little thought or consideration given to important factors
2	Below average, with some but not all main points included, some information still missing
3	Average, acceptable amount of information on main areas given, but additional relevant information that would have made the section stronger is missing
4	Above average, all main areas considered and discussed in depth, with a few pieces of less important information missing
5	Good, all areas carefully considered and discussed, very little missing