Table 9.
Summary of the characteristics of the studies reviewed in Table 8
| Characteristic | n | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Design | Cohort | 12 | 92.31 |
| RCT | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Gender studied | Both | 11 | 84.62 |
| Men | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Women | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Region | Africa | 1 | 7.69 |
| Asia | 8 | 61.54 | |
| Europe | 4 | 30.77 | |
| Health status | Both | 2 | 15.38 |
| Healthy | 3 | 23.08 | |
| Sick | 8 | 61.54 | |
| Age Group | Adults | 11 | 84.62 |
| Children | 2 | 15.38 | |
| Type of Sickness | GI Symptoms | 9 | 90 |
| PEM | 1 | 10 | |
| HP assessment methods used | One | 3 | 23.08 |
| Two or more | 10 | 76.92 | |
| Assay Type | ELISA | 2 | 15.38 |
| Commercial RIA | 8 | 61.54 | |
| In-house RIA | 3 | 23.08 | |
| Sample Size | Above 20 | 6 | 46.15 |
| Below 20 | 7 | 53.85 | |
| Sample Storage | -70°C and below | 11 | 84.62 |
| Above -70°C | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Not described | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Sample type | Plasma | 11 | 84.62 |
| Serum | 2 | 15.38 | |
| BMI of participants | Normal | 10 | 76.92 |
| Others | 3 | 23.07 | |
| Duration of follow-up | 4 weeks & below | 6 | 46.15 |
| Above 4 weeks | 6 | 46.15 | |
| Not recorded | 1 | 7.69 | |
| Change in ghrelin after cure | Decreased | 3 | 23.08 |
| Increased | 3 | 23.08 | |
| No difference | 7 | 53.85 | |