Subgroup and sensitivity analysis
| Variable | No of trials in the meta-analysis | RR (95% CI) LDA | I2 (p value) | No of trials in the meta-analysis | RR (95% CI) remission | I2 (p value) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subgroup analysis | ||||||
| Required LDA | 3 | 1.02 (0.91 to 1.15) | 0% (0.54) | 3 | 1.09 (0.83 to 1.44) | 32% (0.23) |
| Did not require LDA | 3 | 1.81 (1.50 to 2.19) | 96% (<0.001) | 2 | 1.76 (1.34 to 2.32) | 0% (0.55) |
| Induction period 12 weeks | 2 | 1.76 (1.33 to 2.34) | 0% (0.96) | 1 | NA | NA |
| Induction period 24–26 weeks | 2 | 1.46 (0.89 to 2.38) | 83% (0.02) | 2 | 1.55 (1.08 to 2.21) | 54% (0.14) |
| Induction period 48–54 weeks | 2 | 1.01 (0.88 to 1.14) | 0% (0.37) | 2 | 1.14 (0.62 to 2.09) | 43% (0.19) |
| TNFi: adalimumab | 4 | 1.32 (0.93 to 1.90) | 84% (0.01) | 4 | 1.30 (0.90 to 1.87) | 76% (<0.01) |
| TNFi: infliximab | 2 | 1.70 (1.29 to 2.25) | 0% (0.58) | 1 | NA | NA |
| Double-blinded | 4 | 1.28 (0.91 to 1.82) | 83% (0.01) | 4 | 1.34 (0.91 to 1.98) | 78% (0.004) |
| No double-blinded | 2 | 1.76 (1.33 to 2.34) | 0% (0.96) | 1 | NA | NA |
| MTX subcutaneously | 1 | NA | NA | 1 | NA | NA |
| MTX orally | 5 | 1.49 (1.03 to 2.16) | 85% (<0.001) | 4 | 1.39 (0.88 to 2.21) | 78% (0.004) |
| GC as part of a treatment strategy | 1 | NA | NA | 1 | NA | NA |
| GC not part of a treatment strategy | 5 | 1.56 (1.25 to 1.96) | 41% (0.15) | 4 | 1.59 (1.28 to 1.99) | 0% (0.48) |
| Sensitivity analysis | ||||||
| Exclusion of OPTIMA | 5 | 1.29 (0.97 to 1.72) | 70% (0.009) | 4 | 1.08 (0.87 to 1.34) | 12% (0.33) |
| Exclusion of BeST | 5 | 1.33 (0.96 to 1.84) | 79% (<0.001) | NA | NA | NA |
| Exclusion of Guépard | 5 | 1.37 (1.00 to 1.88) | 84% (<0.001) | 4 | 1.34 (0.91 to 1.98) | 78% (0.004) |
| Exclusion of T20 | 5 | 1.41 (1.02 to 1.94) | 85% (<0.001) | 4 | 1.30 (0.90 to 1.87) | 76% (0.005) |
GC, glucocorticoids; I², heterogeneity; LDA, low disease activity; MTX, methotrexate; NA, not applicable; no, number; RR, risk ratio; TNFi, tumour necrosis factor inhibitor.