Comparison 2. All doses of decongestants versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Primary outcome: subjective symptom score (mean)	3	146	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.44 [0.11, 0.78]
1.1 Oral	2	85	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.33 [‐0.11, 0.77]
1.2 Topical	1	61	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.59 [0.08, 1.11]
2 Primary outcome: subjective symptom score (AUC)	2		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Oral	2	260	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.11 [‐0.14, 0.35]
3 Secondary outcome: objective NAR (mean)	2	332	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.39 [‐0.22, 0.99]
3.1 Oral	1	230	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.11 [‐0.14, 0.37]
3.2 Topical	1	102	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.74 [0.23, 1.25]
4 Secondary outcome: objective NAR (AUC)	2		Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 Oral	2	260	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.44 [‐0.32, 1.20]