Table 3 A summary of the methodological quality of the studies included in this systematic review

[52]

Non randomised prospective single centre study

60

9—no reasons given

Q2

10

[47]

RCT

577

8 unrelated deaths, 146—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[67]

Retrospective case review

65

17—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[68]

Retrospective single centre clinical trial

35

5—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[53]

Non randomised prospective multi centre study

156

N/A

Q4

8

[54]

Non randomised prospective multi centre clinical study

64

4—no reasons given

Q1

11

[56]

Non randomised prospective clinical trial

35

1 lost to follow up, 1 unrelated death, 1 declined participation

Q1

10

[55]

Non randomised prospective clinical trial

32

2—no reasons given

N/A

11

[57]

Non randmoized prospective clinical data analysis

15

2 lost due to change in contact details

Q1

10

[58]

Non randomised prospective clinical trial

28

2 lost due to change in contact details

Q1

9

[59]

Non randomised prospective single centre study

36

N/A

Q2

7

[69]

Retrospective study

25

3—no reasons given

Q3

N/A

[60]

Non randomised Prospective study

65

N/A

Q1

6

[61]

Non randomised prospective study

46

N/A

Q1

6

[70]

Retrospective

71

18—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[48]

RCT

394

124—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[62]

Non randomised prospective study

107

6 lost due to change in contact details, 1 unrelated death

N/A

6

[49]

RCT

133

11 declined participation, 10 early discontinuation and 96 no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[50]

RCT

324

58—no reasons given

Q1

N/A

[63]

Non randomised prospective study

64

7—no reasons given

Q2

11

[64]

Non randomised prospective study

64

No drop outs

Q1

10

[71]

Retrospective

27

N/A

N/A

N/A

[66]

Non randomised prospective study

50

5- lost due to change in contact details

Q2

9

[72]

Retrospective

108

2-unrelated death

Q1

N/A

[51]

RCT

60

No drop outs

Q1

N/A

[65]

Non randomised prospective study

28

N/A

Q2

7