Comparison 6. Sensitivity analysis.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Route/type of bisphosphonate.Best response within 12 weeks (blinded studies only)	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
1.1 Pamidronate IV	2	313	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.35 [0.77, 7.15]
1.2 Clodronate PO	5	347	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.26 [1.80, 5.89]
1.3 Etidonrate IV	1	25	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.28 [0.01, 7.67]
2 Primary disease site	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
2.1 Breast	2	275	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.83 [1.11, 3.04]
2.2 Prostate	3	155	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.81 [0.82, 4.02]
2.3 Multiple myeloma	1	157	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.51 [1.08, 11.40]
2.4 Any primary	2	98	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	8.47 [2.69, 26.67]
3 Study design (Blinded /open control) Pain relief using best response within 12 weeks	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
3.1 Blinded studies	6	478	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.92 [1.26, 2.92]
3.2 Open studies	2	207	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	5.29 [2.13, 13.15]
4 Pain as study entry criteria (Y/N) Pain relief using best response within 12 wks	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
4.1 Pain required	5	208	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.80 [1.42, 10.17]
4.2 No pain required	3	477	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.97 [1.27, 3.05]
5 Pain reporting (patient vs not specified) Pain relief using best response within 12 weeks	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
5.1 Patient reporting	5	550	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.00 [1.31, 3.06]
5.2 Not specified	3	135	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	4.30 [1.49, 12.41]
6 Blinded control, pain required, patient pain reporting, Pain relief using best response within 12 weeks	8	702	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.27 [1.45, 3.55]
6.1 Blinded control, pain required, patient pain reporting	2	73	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.83 [0.08, 42.91]
6.2 Others	6	629	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.20 [1.43, 3.37]
7 Quality of studies	8	685	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.56 [1.57, 4.18]
7.1 QS = 1	1	265	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.77 [1.06, 2.96]
7.2 QS = 2	3	282	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.80 [1.71, 8.44]
7.3 QS = 3	1	25	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.28 [0.01, 7.67]
7.4 QS = 4	1	55	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.94 [0.59, 6.40]
7.5 QS = 5	2	58	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	7.51 [1.18, 47.89]