Table 3.
Quality scoring for 20 randomized, controlled trials of probiotics for IBS (Linde Internal Validity Scale)
| Reference | Total quality score1 | Treatment allocation | Randomization method | Baseline comparison | Patients blinded | Evaluators blinded | Handling and reporting of withdrawals/use of ITT | Data source2 |
| Maupas[45] | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Paper |
| Gade[46] | 4.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Paper |
| Halpern[47] | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Paper |
| Nobaek[48] | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | Paper |
| O'Sullivan[49] | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0 | Author |
| Niedzielin[50] | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Paper |
| Kim[51] | 4.5 | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Paper |
| Bausserman[52] | 5.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Paper |
| Bittner[53] | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | Author |
| Kajander[54] | 4.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0 | Paper |
| Kim[55] | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | Paper |
| Niv[56] | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | Paper |
| O’Mahony[17] | 4.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Paper |
| Kim[57] | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 | Paper |
| Simren[58]3 | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | Author |
| Whorwell[35] | 3.5 | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | Paper |
| Enck[59]3 | 4 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | Author |
| Gawronska[60] | 4.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | Paper |
| Marteau[61]3 | 4.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | Author |
| Simren[62]3 | 3.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Author |
1
Linde Internal Validity Scale score is based on columns 3-8; range, 0 (poor) to 6 (excellent). (Linde 1996)[29];
2
Indicates whether additional contact with authors was required to obtain information needed for quality scoring;
3
Data from published meeting abstract only.