TABLE 4.

Results of the meta-analysis by the alternative model.

Outcome (effect factor)	Model used (estimated value [95% CI])
	Random	Fixed
Rate of exacerbation (RR)	0.83 [0.72, 0.96]	0.87 [0.81, 0.93]
Mean number of exacerbations (MD)	−0.42 [−0.75, −0.08]	−0.23 [−0.27, −0.19]
Mean number of respiratory infections (MD)	−0.87 [−2.10, 0.35]	−0.87 [−1.32, −0.42]
Rate of hospitalization (RR)	0.50 [0.25, 0.99]	0.61 [0.46, 0.81]
Sputum (SMD)	−0.20 [−0.65, 0.25]	−0.23 [−0.51, 0.04]
Cough (SMD)	−0.37 [−0.63, −0.11]	−0.37 [−0.61, −0.14]
Severity of dyspnoea (SMD)	−0.36 [−0.60, −0.12]	−0.32 [−0.47, −0.18]
Adverse effects (RR)	0.93 [0.84, 1.03]	0.97 [0.86, 1.09]