Table 1.
Level of Evidence |
Qualifying Studies |
---|---|
I | High-quality, multicenter or single-center randomized controlled trial with adequate power; or systematic review of these studies. |
II | Lesser quality, randomized controlled trial; prospective cohort study; or systematic review of these studies. |
III | Retrospective comparative study; case-control study; or systematic review of these studies |
IV | Case series |
V | Expert opinion; case report or clinical example; or evidence based on physiology, bench research, or “first principles” |
Reproduced with permission from Haase SC, Chung KC. An Evidence-Based Approach to Treating Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis. Plast Reconstr Surg 127(2):918-25 2011.