Tab. 3.

Strength of recommendations

Opinion of the authors on the balance of beneficial and adverse effects of the intervention	Level of evidence	Strength of recommendation	Strength of recommendation – practical implications
1	A	1A	strong recommendation; a given procedure should be widely used as long as there are no strong contraindications
1	B	1B	strong recommendation, but with less degree of certainty; probably right in most individual cases
1	C	1C	the average strength of recommendation; the recommendation may change after obtaining more reliable data; probably right
2	A	2A	the average strength of recommendation; the decision on its adoption is a matter of choice and may depend on local and individual conditions; intervention does not have to be used
2	B	2B	weak recommendation; alternative conduct can be just as good or better
2	C	2C	weak recommendation; alternative treatment is probably equally acceptable