2. Assumptions for lost binary data
Where assumptions had to bemade regarding people lost to followup
(see Dealing with missing data), we compared the findings of
the primary outcomes when we used our assumption compared
with completer data only. If there was a substantial difference,
we reported results and discuss them but continue to employ our
assumption.
Where assumptions had to be made regarding missing SDs data
(see Dealing with missing data), we compared the findings on
primary outcomes when we used our assumption compared with
complete data only. We undertook a sensitivity analysis testing
how prone results were to change when ’complete’ data only were
compared to the imputed data using the above assumption. If there
was a substantial difference, we have reported results and discussed
them but continue to employ our assumption.
3. Chinese studies
Concerns were raised about the quality of some of the Chinese
trials (Wu 2006; Lancet 2010). For this reason, we performed
sensitivity analysis for all primary outcomes where Chinese trials
were included.
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