| Table 1: Relationship of Strength of the Supporting Evidence to the Balance of Benefits to Risks and Burdens |
| |
Balance of Benefits to Risks and Burdens |
| Benefits Outweigh Risks/Burdens |
Risks/Burdens Outweigh Benefits |
Evenly Balanced |
Uncertain |
| Strength of Evidence |
High |
1A |
1A |
2A |
|
| Moderate |
1B |
1B |
2B |
|
Low or
Very Low |
1C |
1C |
2C |
2C |
|
| |
| Table 2: Grade of Recommendations Scale |
1A |
Strong recommendation |
1B |
Strong recommendation |
1C |
Strong recommendation |
2A |
Weak recommendation |
2B |
Weak recommendation |
2C |
Weak recommendation |
|
| |
| Table 3: Strength of Evidence Scale |
| High |
RCTs without important limitations or overwhelming evidence from observational studies |
| Moderate |
RCTs with important limitations (inconsistent results, methodologic flaws, indirect, or imprecise) or exceptionally strong evidence from observational studies |
| Low or
Very Low |
Observational studies or case series |
|
| |
| Table 4: Balance of Benefits to Risks/Burdens Scale |
| Benefits Clearly Outweigh the Risks and Burdens |
Certainty of Imbalance |
| Risks and Burdens Clearly Outweigh the Benefits |
Certainty of Imbalance |
| The Risks/Burdens and Benefits are Closely Balanced |
Less Certainty |
| The Balance of Benefits to Risks and Burdens is Uncertain |
Uncertainty |
|
