Comparison 5. Darbepoetin versus rHuEPO.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Final/change in Hb	6	1245	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.02 [‐0.09, 0.12]
2 Final/change in ESA dose	3	757	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐12.27 [‐21.72, ‐2.82]
3 All‐cause mortality	5	1596	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.29 [0.82, 2.02]
4 Hypertension	4	1475	Risk Difference (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐0.06, 0.05]
5 Transfusion	3	1069	Risk Difference (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.02 [‐0.05, ‐0.00]
6 Total treatment‐related adverse events	3	570	Risk Difference (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.01 [‐0.03, 0.05]
7 Access thrombosis/vascular complication	4	1475	Risk Difference (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.01 [‐0.03, 0.00]