strength of evidence (SOE)

Introduction

• High: very confident, evidence has few or no deficiencies, findings stable, additional studies would not change conclusions
• Moderate: moderately confident, evidence has some deficiencies, findings likely to be stable, some doubt remains
• Low: limited confidence, evidence has major or numerous deficiencies (or both), additional evidence is needed
• Insufficient: no confidence, insufficient evidence or evidence has unacceptable limitations

*

• A: multiple well-designed randomized clinical trials, directly relevant to a recommendation, yielding consistent pattern of finding
• B: some evidence from randomized clinical trials supporting a recommendation; however, scientific support not optimal (i.e. inconsistent or not directly relevant)
• C: consensus agreement in the absence of relevant randomized clinical trials
• D: low-quality evidence
• I: insufficient evidence