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. 2018 Jul 25;2018(7):CD005647. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005647.pub3

Summary of findings 19. Two weeks of AmBd + 5FC + FLU compared to two weeks of AmBd for HIV‐associated cryptococcal meningitis.

Two weeks of AmBd + 5FC + FLU compared to two weeks of AmBd for HIV‐associated cryptococcal meningitis
Patient or population: HIV‐infected individual with first episode of cryptococcal meningitis
 Setting: randomized controlled trial
 Intervention: 2 weeks of AmBd + 5FC + FLU
 Comparison: 2 weeks of AmBd
Outcomes Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI) Relative effect
 (95% CI) № of participants
 (studies) Certainty of the evidence
 (GRADE)
Risk with 2 weeks of AmBd Risk with 2 weeks of AmBd + 5FC + FLU
Mortality: 10 weeks 188 per 1000 188 per 1000
 (45 to 793) RR 1.00
 (0.24 to 4.23) 32
 (1 RCT) ⊕⊝⊝⊝
 VERY LOW1,2
*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: 5FC: flucytosine; AmBd: amphotericin B deoxycholate; CI: confidence interval; FLU: fluconazole; RCT: randomized controlled trial; RR: risk ratio
GRADE Working Group grades of evidenceHigh 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 one level for indirectness. Data generated from a single study that used a low dose of fluconazole.
 2Downgraded two levels for imprecision. Data from a single small study with few events and broad CI including appreciable benefit and appreciable harm.