Table 2 Summary of findings for the main comparison
Outcomes | Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI) | Relative effect (95% CI) | No of Participants | Quality of the evidence (GRADE) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assumed risk | Corresponding risk | ||||
Control | DEX | ||||
Ventilator-free days Follow-up: mean 3.57 days | The mean ventilator-free days in the intervention groups was 3.57 higher (0.26 to 6.89 higher) | 264 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊕⊝ moderate1 | ||
Duration of mechanical ventilation Follow-up: mean 0.07 days | The mean duration of mechanical ventilation in the intervention groups was 0.07 higher (1.58 lower to 1.72 higher) | 267 ( 3 studies) | ⊕⊕⊕⊝ moderate2 | ||
mortality | Study population | RR 0.64 (0.4 to 0.93) | 333 (4 studies) | ⊕⊕⊕⊕ high | |
268 per 1000 | 163 per 1000 ( 107 to 249) | ||||
Moderate | |||||
205 per 1000 | 125 per 1000 (82 to 191) | ||||