Summary of findings 16. Short‐course L‐AmB + FLU compared to two weeks of L‐AmB + FLU for HIV‐associated cryptococcal meningitis.

Short‐course L‐AmB + FLU compared to two weeks of L‐AmB + FLU for HIV‐associated cryptococcal meningitis
Patient or population: HIV‐infected individual with first episode of cryptococcal meningitis Setting: randomized controlled trial Intervention: short‐course L‐AmB + FLU Comparison: 2 weeks of L‐AmB + FLU
Outcomes	Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI)		Relative effect (95% CI)	Number of participants (trials)	Certainty of the evidence (GRADE)
	Risk with 2 weeks of L‐AmB + FLU	Risk with short‐course L‐AmB + FLU
Mortality: 10 weeks	286 per 1000	294 per 1000 (134 to 643)	RR 1.03 (0.47 to 2.25)	79 (1 RCT)	⊕⊕⊝⊝ LOW1
*The risk in the intervention group (and its 95% CI) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI). Abbreviations: CI: confidence interval; FLU: fluconazole; L‐AmB: liposomal amphotericin B; RCT: randomized controlled trial; RR: risk ratio
GRADE Working Group grades of evidence High certainty: we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect. Moderate certainty: we are moderately confident in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different. Low certainty: our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: the true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect. Very low certainty: we have very little confidence in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect.

¹Downgraded two levels for imprecision. Data from a single small study with few events and broad CI including appreciable benefit and appreciable harm.