Evidence-Based Medicine
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2014; 20(34): 12182-12201
Published online Sep 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12182
Table 2 Levels of recommendation according to the available evidence
RecommendationAvailable evidence
AThe Consensus strongly recommends the mentioned intervention or service. This recommendation is based on high-quality evidence, with benefits that significantly exceed the risks
BThe Consensus recommends the regular clinical use of the mentioned intervention or service. This recommendation is based on moderate-quality evidence of benefits that exceed the risks
CThe Consensus does not make any positive or negative recommendations regarding the mentioned intervention or service. A categorical recommendation is not provided because the evidence (of at least moderate quality) does not show a satisfactory risk/benefit relationship. Decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis
DThe Consensus makes a negative recommendation against the mentioned intervention or service. The recommendation is based on at least moderate-quality evidence that does not show any benefit or where the risk or damage exceeds the benefits of the intervention
IThe Consensus concludes that the evidence is insufficient due to low-quality studies or heterogeneous results or because the risk/benefit balance cannot be determined