Figure 3.

Forest plot of gastrointestinal symptoms risk in colonic spirochetosis cases. (a) Four case–control studies were included for analysis of diarrhea prevalence. (b) Three case–control studies were included for analysis of abdominal pain prevalence. (c) Two case–control studies were included for analysis of rectal bleeding prevalence. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random‐effects model. Heterogeneity of the publications were tested with Cochran's Q statistic and I ²statistic. Publication bias was tested using the Egger's regression model with the effect of bias assessed using the fail‐safe number method. For meta‐analysis of colonic spirochetosis and rectal bleeding, publication bias could not be tested as the minimal number of study for the Egger's test is 3. CI, confidence interval. [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]