Comparison of whole-body computed tomography vs selective radiological imaging on outcomes in major trauma patients: a meta-analysis

Table 4 GRADE evidence profile

	Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI)
Outcomes	Assumed risk	Corresponding risk	Relative effect (95% CI)	GRADE
	NWBCT	WBCT
Mortality	231 per 1000	190 per 1000	OR 0.66	⊕⊕⊝⊝ low^1,2
Mortality	231 per 1000	(180- 200)	(0.52 - 0.85)	⊕⊕⊝⊝ low^1,2
ED Time	The mean ED time ranged across control groups from 82 to 144.7 min	The mean ED time in the intervention groups was 27.58 lower (43.04 to 12.12 lower)	NR	⊕⊕⊝⊝ low^1,2,3,4
ICU-LOS	The mean ICU-LOS ranged across control groups from 1 to 16.8 days	The mean ICU-LOS in the intervention groups was 0.95 higher (0.08 Lower to 1.98 higher)	NR	⊕⊕⊝⊝ very low^1,2,5
Ventilation Time	The mean duration of mechanical ventilation ranged across control groups from 0 to 14.3 days	The mean duration of mechanical ventilation in the intervention groups was 0.96 higher (0.32 to 1.61 higher)	NR	⊕⊕⊝⊝ very low^1,2,6
Hospital-LOS	The mean Hospital- LOS ranged across control groups from 8.5 to 32.5 days	The mean Hospital-LOS in the intervention groups was 0.56 higher (0.03 Lower to 1.15 higher)	NR	⊕⊕⊝⊝ very low^1,2,7
MODS/MOF	284 per 1000	363 per 1000	OR 1.44	⊕⊕⊝⊝ very low^1,8
MODS/MOF	284 per 1000	(348 to 379)	(1.35 to 1.54)	⊕⊕⊝⊝ very low^1,8

*The basis for the assumed risk (e.g. the median control group risk across studies) is provided in footnotes. The corresponding risk (and its 95% confidence interval) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI). CI: Confidence interval; OR: Odds ratio.
LOS, length of stay; ED time, time spent in the emergency department; NR, not reported.
¹There were significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (WBCT and NWBCT).
²In most of the studies, patients who underwent WBCT had higher levels of injury severity score (ISS).
³There was evidence of heterogeneity between studies (Chi² = 541.42, df = 4, P < 0.00001; I² = 99%).
⁴The pooled effect size of weighted mean difference = –27.58 min; 95% CI –43.04 to –12.12; p = 0.0005)
⁵we found a significant heterogeneity among the studies (Chi² = 63.81, df = 5, P < 0.00001; I² = 92%).
⁶The test of heterogeneity showed significant differences in each study (Chi² = 33.05, df = 4, P < 0.00001; I² = 88%).
⁷The amount of studies (total length of hospital stay was described) is too little.
⁸OR was 1.44 [95% CI 1.35-1.54], p < 0.00001.

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