Table 3.

Evidence assessment scheme for assessment of evidence for review

Quality of evidence		Effect size strength (only evidence I–II)
I	Randomized trial with clinical outcomes and/or validated laboratory endpoints	+ + +	Strong positive effect on mortality (≥ 5%)
II	Non-randomized trial or observational cohort study	+ +	Positive effect on mortality (< 5%)
III	Single-arm study or case series/reports	+	Some positive effect on an outcome
IV	Editorials/expert opinion	0	No significant effect noted from treatment
V	Animal or animal-model research	−	Some negative effect/increased adverse events
VI	In vitro research or AI-based drug selection	− −	Negative effect on mortality (< 5%)
P	In-progress clinical trials	− − −	Strong negative effect on mortality (≥ 5%)
		N/A	Not applicable