Comparison 2. MgSO₄ + SABA versus SABA.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pulmonary function % predicted FEV1	4	208	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.34 [‐1.58, 8.26]
1.1 Adults	3	146	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.18 [‐3.30, 7.67]
1.2 Children	1	62	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	8.10 [‐3.03, 19.23]
2 % predicted FEV1: subgroup: severity	3	188	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	4.12 [‐1.81, 10.06]
2.1 Severe (FEV1 <50% predicted)	1	52	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	9.90 [0.05, 19.75]
2.2 Moderate	2	136	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.84 [‐6.59, 8.27]
3 Pulmonary function PEF L/min	4		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 Adults	3	155	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	11.91 [‐4.12, 27.95]
3.2 Children	1	80	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	11.90 [‐6.86, 30.66]
4 Admission to hospital	6	375	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.78 [0.52, 1.15]
4.1 Adults	4	213	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.69 [0.45, 1.07]
4.2 Children	2	162	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.14 [0.44, 2.98]
5 Heart rate at 120 mins	2		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
6 Respiratory rate at 120 mins	1		Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
7 Diastolic blood pressure at 120 mins	2	120	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.72 [‐1.35, 2.80]
8 Systolic blood pressure at 120 mins	2	120	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.89 [‐2.69, 4.48]
9 Serious adverse events	5	243	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [‐0.04, 0.04]
9.1 Adults	4	181	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [‐0.04, 0.04]
9.2 Children	1	62	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [‐0.06, 0.06]
10 Any adverse events	5	694	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐0.05, 0.03]
10.1 Adults	4	329	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.02 [‐0.10, 0.06]
10.2 Children	1	365	Risk Difference (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐0.03, 0.01]