Table 1A. THS/TSOC classes of recommendations (updated March 2019).
Classes of recommendations | Definition | Suggested phrases |
Class I (Benefit >>> Risk) | Evidence and/or general agreement that a given treatment of procedure is beneficial, useful, and effective | • Is recommended |
• Is indicated | ||
• Should be performed | ||
Class II | Conflicting evidence and/or a divergence of opinion about the usefulness/efficacy of the given treatment or procedure | |
Class IIa (Benefit >/>> Risk) | Weight of evidence/opinion is in favor of usefulness/efficacy | • Is probably recommended |
• Should be considered | ||
• Can be performed | ||
Class IIb (Benefit ≥ Risk) | Usefulness/efficacy is less well established by evidence/opinion | • May/might be considered |
• May/might be reasonable | ||
• May/might be performed | ||
Class III (Benefit ≤ Risk) | Evidence or general agreement that the given treatment or procedure is not useful/effective, and in some cases may be harmful | • Is not recommended |
• Is not indicated | ||
• Should not be performed |
THS, Taiwan Hypertension Society; TSOC, Taiwan Society of Cardiology.