Summary of findings 11. Niosomal methylene blue gel PDT compared with free methylene blue gel PDT for hidradenitis suppurativa.

Niosomal methylene blue gel PDT compared with free methylene blue gel PDT for hidradenitis suppurativa
Patient or population: participants with hidradenitis suppurativa Settings: hospital‐based Intervention: niosomal methylene blue gel PDT Comparison: free methylene blue gel PDT
Outcomes	Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)		Relative effect (95% CI)	Number of participants (studies)	Quality of the evidence (GRADE)	Comments
	Assumed risk	Corresponding risk
	Free methylene blue gel PDT	Niosomal methylene blue gel PDT
HS‐LASI score Follow‐up: mean 6 months	The mean HS‐LASI score in the control groups was 7.9 points	The mean HS‐LASI score in the intervention groups was 4.30 lower (8.36 to 0.24 lower)	‐	20 (1 study)	⊕⊕⊝⊝ low¹,²	‐
*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI). CI: confidence interval; HS‐LASI: Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesion, Area and Severity Index;PDT: photodynamic therapy.
GRADE Working Group grades of evidence High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect. Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate. Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

¹Downgraded one level because participants and treating physicians were unblinded, producing a risk of performance bias.
 ²Downgraded one level for imprecision due to a small number of participants in only a single study.