Table 2.

Description of the classes of recommendations used in clinical practice guidelines

Class of recomendation	Description
Class I (strong): benefit>>>risk	Is recommended/indicated Procedure is beneficial, useful, and effective Evidence and/or general agreement
Class IIA (moderate): benefit>>risk	Should be considered Procedure can be useful/effective/beneficial It is reasonable to choose treatment A over treatment B Conflicting evidence about the usefulness/efficacy of the given treatment or procedure
Class IIB (weak): benefit≥risk	May be considered Effectiveness is unknown/unclear/uncertain Conflicting evidence about the usefulness/efficacy of the given treatment or procedure
Class III (no benefit): benefit=risk	Is not recommended Procedure is not indicated/useful/beneficial/effective