Table 3.

GRADE definitions on strength of recommendation and guide to interpretation

Strength of recommendation	Wording in the guideline	For the patient	For the clinician
Strong	“The AGA recommends…”	Most individuals in this situation would want the recommended course and only a small proportion would not.	Most individuals should receive the recommended course of action. Formal decision aids are not likely to be needed to help individuals make decisions consistent with their values and preferences.
Conditional	“The AGA suggests…”	The majority of individuals in this situation would want the suggested course, but many would not.	Different choices would be appropriate for different patients. Decision aids may be useful in helping individuals in making decisions consistent with their values and preferences. Clinicians should expect to spend more time with patients when working towards a decision.
No recommendation	“The AGA makes no recommendation…”		The confidence in the effect estimate is so low that any effect estimate is speculative at this time.