Comparison 2. Anticholinergic agents versus anticholinergics plus short‐acting beta2‐agonists.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Treatment failure	4	173	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.65 [1.20, 5.88]
1.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus beta2‐agonist	3	144	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.67 [1.41, 9.50]
1.2 Atropine sulphate versus atropine sulphate plus metaproterenol	1	29	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.02 [0.21, 4.98]
2 Admission to hospital	3	141	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	5.90 [1.20, 29.05]
2.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus beta2‐agonist	2	112	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	5.69 [0.25, 128.50]
2.2 Atropine sulfate versus atropine sulfate plus metaproterenol	1	29	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	6.0 [0.95, 37.76]
3 Participants requiring no repeat nebulisation	1		Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
3.1 Moderate‐severe acute asthma	1		Odds Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 PEF @ 30 minutes (% predicted)	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
4.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus salbutamol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.2 Atropine sulphate versus atropine sulphate plus metaproterenol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 PEF @ 120 minutes (% predicted)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
5.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus salbutamol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6 FEV1 @ 30 minutes (litres/sec)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
6.1 Ipratropium versus ipratropium bromide plus fenoterol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 FEV1 @120 mins (litres/sec)	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
7.1 Ipratropium versus ipratropium bromide plus fenoterol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Pulmonary index @ 30 mins	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
8.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus fenoterol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Atropine sulfate versus atropine sulfate plus metaproterenol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9 Pulmonary index @ 120 mins	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
9.1 Ipratropium bromide versus ipratropium bromide plus fenoterol	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]