I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly randomized controlled trial |
A. There is good evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action |
II-1: Evidence from well-designed controlled trial without randomization |
B. There is fair evidence to recommend the clinical preventive action |
II-2: Evidence from well-designed cohort (prospective or retrospective) or case-control studies, preferably from more than one centre or research group |
C. The existing evidence is conflicting and does not allow to make a recommendation for or against use of the clinical preventive action; however, other factors may have an influence on decision-making |
II-3: Evidence obtained from comparisons between times or places with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled experiments (such as the results of treatment with penicillin in the 1 940 s) could also be included in this category |
D. There is fair evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive actionE. There is good evidence to recommend against the clinical preventive action |
III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees |
L. There is insufficient evidence (in quantity or quality) to make a recommendation; however, other factors may influence decision-making |