Table 3 Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analyses of FEV1 and ACQ-5 scores in RCTs
Stratification Subgroup analysis | FEV1 | ACQ-5 scores | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. of Patients (trials) | SMD (95% CI) | P Value | I2, % | No. of Patients (trials) | SMD (95% CI) | P Value | I2, % | |
Effects model | ||||||||
Random-effects model | 3218 (7) | 4.29 (2.78 to 5.81) | < 0.001 | 99 | 2670 (4) | −4.95(−7.30 to −2.60) | < 0.001 | 100 |
Fixed effects model | 3218 (7) | 4.48 (4.32 to 4.62) | < 0.001 | 99 | 2670 (4) | −4.24(− 4.40 to − 4.09) | < 0.001 | 100 |
Region of study | ||||||||
The US | 104 (1) | 4.47 (3.74 to 5.20) | < 0.001 | – | 104 (1) | −4.53(−5.26 to −3.79) | < 0.001 | – |
Multinational | 3114 (6) | 4.31 (2.85 to 5.97) | < 0.001 | 99 | 2566 (3) | −5.09(−7.29 to −2.25) | < 0.001 | 100 |
No. of subjects | ||||||||
< 150 | 651 (4) | 3.21 (1.98 to 4.43) | < 0.001 | 96 | 104 (1) | −4.53(−5.26 to −3.79) | < 0.001 | – |
≥150 | 2567 (3) | 5.80 (3.86 to 7.74) | < 0.001 | 99 | 2566 (3) | −5.09(−7.29 to −2.25) | < 0.001 | 100 |
Treatment duration | ||||||||
< 50 weeks | 1316 (4) | 3.35 (2.36 to 4.34) | < 0.001 | 96 | 768 (2) | −3.47(−5.48 to −1.46) | < 0.001 | 96 |
≥50 weeks | 1902 (2) | 6.74 (6.25 to 7.23) | < 0.001 | 77 | 1902 (2) | −6.39(−9.89 to −2.89) | < 0.001 | 100 |
Blood eosinophil count | ||||||||
< 300 eosinophils per μl | 1536 (5) | 5.56 (2.59 to 8.53) | < 0.001 | 99 | 388 (1) | −1.80(−2.08 to − 1.52) | < 0.001 | – |
≥300 eosinophils per μl | 1269 (4) | 2.05 (0.97 to 3.12) | < 0.001 | 98 | 380 (2) | −2.43(−6.52 to − 1.66) | < 0.001 | 99 |
Sources of funding | ||||||||
Pharmaceutical company | 4.29 (2.78 to 5.81) | < 0.001 | 99 | −4.95(−7.30 to −2.60) | < 0.001 | 100 | ||
Non-pharmaceutical company | 0 (0) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |