Table 3.
Results of meta-analysis of baseline characteristics for anterior versus posterior surgery
| Baseline characteristics | No. of studies | No. of patients | Statistical method | Effect of estimate (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Age | 9 | 497 | WMD | −2.73 [−4.81, −0.64] | <0.05a |
| 2. Duration of the symptoms | 8 | 404 | WMD | 0.81 [−1.80, 3.43] | >0.05 |
| 3. Preoperative JOA score | 6 | 338 | WMD | 0.03 [−1.18,1.24] | >0.05 |
| 4. Follow-up time | 9 | 404 | WMD | 0.08 [−0.12, 0.27] | >0.05 |
WMD weighted mean difference, CI confidence interval
aStatistically significant