Comparison 3. Azathioprine or 6‐mercaptopurine versus anti TNF‐α.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Clinical relapse at 12 to 24 months	3	139	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.89 [1.50, 5.57]
2 Clinical relapse (subgroup by length of follow‐up)	3	139	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.89 [1.50, 5.57]
2.1 12 months or less	2	106	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.27 [1.07, 4.82]
2.2 Over 12 months	1	33	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	6.12 [1.63, 22.97]
3 Endoscopic relapse at 12 to 24 months (subgroup by drug type)	4	157	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.67 [1.05, 12.81]
3.1 Azathioprine	3	138	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.47 [0.75, 16.03]
3.2 6‐mercaptopurine	1	19	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	5.5 [0.75, 40.36]
4 Endoscopic relapse (subgroup by length of follow‐up)	4	157	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.67 [1.05, 12.81]
4.1 12 months or less	3	124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	2.44 [0.83, 7.18]
4.2 Over 12 months	1	33	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	10.35 [1.50, 71.32]
5 Radiologic relapse at 12 to 24 months	2		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
6 Histologic relapse at 12 months	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
7 Adverse events at 12 to 24 months	2	117	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.13 [0.83, 1.53]
8 Adverse events (subgroup by length of follow‐up)	2	117	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.13 [0.83, 1.53]
8.1 12 months or less	1	84	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.04 [0.65, 1.66]
8.2 Over 12 months	1	33	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.20 [0.81, 1.78]
9 Serious adverse events at 12 months	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
10 Withdrawal due to adverse events at 12 to 24 months	3	139	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	3.97 [0.92, 17.22]
11 Withdrawal due to adverse events (subgroup by length of follow‐up)	3	141	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	4.17 [0.99, 17.47]
11.1 12 months or less	2	106	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	7.17 [1.32, 38.96]
11.2 Over 12 months	1	35	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.07, 15.62]
12 HRQoL ‐ IBDQ > 170 at 24 months	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected