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. 2016 Mar 11;2016(3):CD011033. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011033.pub3

Summary of findings for the main comparison. Summary of findings: Oral prostacyclin analogue (iloprost) versus placebo.

Oral prostacyclin analogue (iloprost) versus placebo for treatment of Buerger's disease
Patient or population: patients with Buerger's disease
Settings: hospital and community
Intervention: oral prostacyclin analogue (iloprost) in two doses: 200 mcg and 400 mcg
Comparison: placebo
Outcomes Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI) Relative effect
 (95% CI) No of Participants
 (studies) Quality of the evidence
 (GRADE) Comments
Assumed risk Corresponding risk
placebo oral prostacyclin analogue
Ulcer healing (200 mcg)
Follow‐up: 8 weeks
Study population RR 1.11 (0.54 to 2.29) 133
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
171 per 1000 190 per 1000
(93 to 393)
Ulcer healing (400 mcg)
Follow‐up: 8 weeks
Study population RR 0.90 (0.42 to 1.93) 135
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
171 per 1000 154 per 1000
(72 to 331)
Ulcer healing (200 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 1.19 (0.82 to 1.73) 133
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
414 per 1000 493 per 1000
(340 to 717)
Ulcer healing (400 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 1.00 (0.67 to 1.50) 135
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
414 per 1000 414 per 1000
(278 to 621)
Complete relief of rest pain (200 mcg)
Follow‐up: 8 weeks
Study population RR 1.14 (0.79 to 1.63) 207
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
343 per 1000 391 per 1000
(271 to 559)
Complete relief of rest pain (400 mcg)
Follow‐up: 8 weeks
Study population RR 1.11 (0.77 to 1.59) 210
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
343 per 1000 381 per 1000
(264 to 546)
Complete relief of rest pain (200 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 1.28 (1.00 to 1.64) 207
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊝⊝1,2,3low  
490 per 1000 627 per 1000
(490 to 804)
Complete relief of rest pain (400 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 1.00 (0.76 to 1.32) 210
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
490 per 1000 490 per 1000
(373 to 647)
Rate of amputation (200 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 0.54 (0.19 to 1.56) 209
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
87 per 1000 47 per 1000
(17 to 136)
Rate of amputation (400 mcg)
Follow‐up: 6 months
Study population RR 0.42 (0.13 to 1.31) 213
(1 RCT)
⊕⊕⊕⊝1,2moderate  
87 per 1000 37 per 1000
(11 to 114)
*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI).
 CI: Confidence interval; RR: Risk Ratio;
GRADE Working Group grades of evidence
 High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect.
 Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate.
 Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate.
 Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.

1 one single study (doubt about reproducibility of data), downgraded by one level
 2 conflict of interest not stated but it was not considered sufficient to downgrade the quality of evidence
 3 inconsistent with dose‐response effect, downgraded by one level