Table 1.
Grading of recommendations
| Grade of recommendation | Clarity of risk/benefit | Quality of supporting evidence | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A: Strong recommendation, high-quality evidence | Benefits clearly outweigh the risks and burdens, or vice versa | RCTs without important limitations or overwhelming evidence from observational studies | Strong recommendation, applies to most patients in most circumstances without reservation |
| 1B: Strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence | Benefits clearly outweigh the risks and burdens, or vice versa | RCTs with important limitations (inconsistent results, methodological flaws, indirect analyses, or imprecise conclusions) or exceptionally strong evidence from observational studies | Strong recommendation, applies to most patients in most circumstances without reservation |
| 1C: Strong recommendation, low-quality or very low-quality evidence | Benefits clearly outweigh the risks and burdens, or vice versa | Observational studies or case series | Strong recommendation but subject to change when higher quality evidence becomes available |
| 2A: Weak recommendation, high-quality evidence | Benefits closely balanced with the risks and burden | RCTs without important limitations or overwhelming evidence from observational studies | Weak recommendation, best action may differ depending on the patient, treatment circumstances, or social values |
| 2B: Weak recommendation, moderate-quality evidence | Benefits closely balanced with the risks and burden | RCTs with important limitations (inconsistent results, methodological flaws, indirect or imprecise) or exceptionally strong evidence from observational studies | Weak recommendation, best action may differ depending on the patient, treatment circumstances, or social values |
| 2C: Weak recommendation, low-quality or very low-quality evidence | Uncertainty in the estimates of the benefits, risks, and burden; benefits, risk, and burden may be closely balanced | Observational studies or case series | Very weak recommendation; alternative treatments may be equally reasonable and merit consideration |