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. 2023 Feb 23;2023(2):CD015171. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD015171.pub2

Comparison 1. Betahistine versus placebo/no treatment.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1.1 Improvement in vertigo frequency 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.1.1 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 70 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.50 [0.98, 2.29]
1.1.2 ≥ 12 months 1 62 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.11 [0.93, 1.32]
1.2 Improvement in vertigo frequency: sensitivity analysis for complete/substantial improvement 1   Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.2.1 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 10 Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) 13.08 [1.01, 170.31]
1.3 Improvement in vertigo frequency: sensitivity analysis for complete/substantial improvement  1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.3.1 ≥ 12 months 1 62 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.37 [1.04, 1.81]
1.4 Change in vertigo global score at 3 to 6 months 1 34 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.70 [‐6.67, 8.07]
1.5 Change in vertigo frequency 3   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.5.1 3 to 6 months 2 117 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐1.90 [‐3.05, ‐0.74]
1.5.2 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 214 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.63 [‐4.07, 5.33]
1.6 Serious adverse events 1 220 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.20 [0.63, 2.29]
1.7 Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life at 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 170 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.06 [‐0.17, 0.29]
1.8 Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life at > 12 months 1 62 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.34 [1.07, 1.69]
1.9 Change in hearing: continuous data only 3   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.9.1 3 to < 6 months 1 35 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 10.10 [‐1.13, 21.33]
1.9.2 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 113 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 2.64 [‐1.66, 6.94]
1.9.3 > 12 months 1 62 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 1.40 [‐7.10, 9.90]
1.10 Change in hearing: dichotomous data only 2   Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.10.1 6 to ≤ 12 months 2 82 Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) 3.14 [1.28, 7.66]
1.11 Change in tinnitus 2   Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.11.1 6 to ≤ 12 months 1 168 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) ‐0.06 [‐1.52, 1.39]
1.11.2 ≥ 12 months 1 62 Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI) 0.90 [‐5.55, 7.35]
1.12 Other adverse effects 4   Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.12.1 Headache 4 374 Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.16 [0.69, 1.95]
1.12.2 Gastrointestinal disturbance 4 372 Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.08 [0.65, 1.78]
1.12.3 Dry mouth 2 301 Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.30 [0.05, 1.95]
1.13 Other adverse effects 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.13.1 Sleep disturbance 2 255 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.43 [0.47, 4.38]