Table 2.
Quality scores of the included clinical studies were assessed by the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS).
| Study | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | Quality scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsuyoshi Etoh | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 20 |
| Kwi-Sook Choi | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| Philip Chiu | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
| Dae Yong Kim | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| Takeshi Yamashina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 19 |
| Ju Choi | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
| Chan Park | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
| Young Kim | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 22 |
| Sara Najmeh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
A, Clearly stated aim; B, Inclusion of consecutive patients; C, Prospective collection of data; D, Endpoints appropriate to the aim of the study; E, Unbiased assessment of the study endpoint; F, Follow-up period appropriate to the aim of the study; G, Loss to follow up <5%; H, Prospective calculation of the study size; I, An adequate control group; J, Contemporary groups; K, Baseline equivalence of groups; L, Adequate statistical analyses. The items are scored 0 (not reported), 1 (reported but inadequate), or 2 (reported and adequate).