Comparison 2. Oral steroids plus antibiotic versus control plus antibiotic.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Hearing loss at two months (at least some conductive hearing loss)	1		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2 OME resolution (seven to 28 days)	5	409	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.99 [1.14, 3.49]
3 OME resolution (one to two months)	2	231	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.44 [0.97, 2.13]
4 Mild to moderate adverse effects at two weeks to six months	2	255	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	1.34 [0.84, 2.14]