Comparison 2. Discontinuation by tapering versus continuation.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
2.1 Relapse (as defined by study authors)	16		Hazard Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1.1 All studies	16	2120	Hazard Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.59 [2.07, 3.25]
2.1.2 No co‐intervention long‐term follow‐up (≥ 24 weeks)	13	1546	Hazard Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.97 [2.24, 3.93]
2.1.3 With co‐intervention	4	570	Hazard Ratio (IV, Random, 95% CI)	1.90 [1.42, 2.53]
2.2 Adverse events	7	1479	Odds Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.82, 1.38]
2.3 Depressive symptoms	6	1017	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	3.50 [2.31, 4.68]
2.3.1 HAM‐D endpoint (≥ 24 weeks)	5	730	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	3.83 [2.20, 5.46]
2.3.2 HAM‐D mean changes (≥ 24 weeks)	1	287	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	2.96 [1.43, 4.49]
2.4 Anxiety symptoms	3	526	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	3.53 [1.92, 5.14]
2.5 Quality of life	3		Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.5.1 Physical health functioning	3	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐2.08 [‐5.66, 1.49]
2.5.2 Social functioning	3	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐6.44 [‐12.10, ‐0.77]
2.5.3 Emotional functioning	3	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐18.81 [‐26.66, ‐10.97]
2.6 Social and occupational functioning	3	502	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.19 [0.11, 0.28]
2.7 Severity of illness	6	1187	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.44, 0.79]
2.7.1 CGI‐S total score	5	900	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.63 [0.40, 0.85]
2.7.2 CGI‐S mean change	1	287	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.60 [0.32, 0.88]