Table 5.
Results of the main analyses followed by the sensitivity analyses with exclusion of the trial by Doherty and colleagues for the effect of the educational/behavioral intervention.
| Outcome or subgroup | # studies | Intervention versus control | Participants | Statistical method | Effect estimate | Heterogeneity/ I2% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU < 6 mg/dl | 4 | (1) Pharmacist-led education and management versus usual care22
(2) Primary care provider education versus usual care27 (3) Pharmacist-led education and management versus usual care23 (4) Nurse-led education versus general practitioner care24 |
2825 | Odds ratio (M–H, random, 95% CI) | 4.86 [1.48, 15.97] | 97 |
| SU < 6 mg/dl | 3 | Trial by Doherty24
excluded |
2308 | Odds ratio (M–H, random, 95% CI) | 1.87 [1.55, 2.24] | 0 |
| Patients taking ULT at the end of the study period | 2 | (1). Primary care provider education versus usual care27
(2). Nurse-led education versus general practitioner care24 |
1336 | Odds ratio (M–H, random, 95% CI) | 5.91 [0.29, 120.97] | 98 |
| Patients taking ULT at the end of the study period | 1 | Trial by Doherty24 excluded | 819 | Odds ratio (M–H, random, 95% CI) | 1.37 [1.04, 1.81] | N/A |
| Ending dose of allopurinol | 2 | (1). Pharmacist-led education and management versus usual care23
(2). Nurse-led education versus general practitioner care24 |
1929 | SMD (IV, random, 95% CI) | 1.08 [−0.43, 2.58] | 99 |
| Ending dose of allopurinol | 1 | Trial by Doherty24
excluded |
1412 | Odds ratio (M–H, random, 95% CI) | 0.31 [0.20, 0.41] | N/A |
CI, confidence interval; IV, intravenous; M–H, Mantel-Haenszel test; N/A, not applicable; SMD, standard mean difference; SU, serum urate; ULT, urate-lowering therapy.