Risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults. A systematic review

Table 4 Overall quality of evidence table

Univariate Multivariate										GRADE factors
Potential risk factors identified	Number of participants	Number of studies	+	0	–	+	0	–	Phase	Study limitations	Inconsistency	Indirectness	Imprecision	Publication bias	Moderate/ large effect size	Dose effect	Overall quality
Being female	895–954	3	1 2 0			1 0 0			1	x	x	√	x	√	x	NA	+
Body mass index	895–954	3	0 3 0			NA			1	x	√	√	x	√	x	x	+
Physical activity	895–954	3	0 3 0			NA			1	x	√	√	x	√	x	x	+
Mental stress	371–430	2	1 1 0			1 0 0			1	x	x	√	x	√	x	NA	+
Duration of computer use	791–850	2	1 1 0			1 1 0			1	x	x	√	x	√	x	x	+
Not having computer screen at eye level	524	1	NA			1 0 0			1	x	NA	√	√	NA	x	NA	+
Keyboard positioned too high	524	1	NA			1 0 0			1	x	NA	√	x	NA	√	x	+
Being a 2nd year student	524	1	NA			1 0 0			1	x	NA	√	x	NA	x	x	+
Computer mouse height too low	524	1	NA			0 0 1			1	x	NA	√	x	NA	x	x	+
Using computer for entertainment ≥70% of time	524	1	NA			0 0 1			1	x	NA	√	x	NA	x	NA	+

For uni- and multivariate analyses: + represents number of significant effects with a positive OR; 0 represents number of non-significant effects; − represents number of significant effects with a negative OR. Phase means phase of investigation. For GRADE factors: ✓, no serious limitations; ✕, serious limitations (or not present for moderate/large effect size, dose effect) NA, unable to rate item based on available information. For overall quality of evidence: + very low; ++ low; +++ moderate; ++++ high. Only factors investigated in more than one study or which showed statistical significance in one study are included in the table. Number of participants vary because of inaccurate reporting of participants in one of the studies

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