Sensitivity analysis for fat embolism syndrome among pooled studies
| Variable | Group; no. (%) | Heterogeneity, p value | Risk (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steroid | Control | Absolute difference | Relative | ||
| Steroid dose | |||||
| MPS > 9 mg/kg (14), (17), (42), (46) | 3/97 (3.1) | 20/123 (16.3) | 0.59 | 0.11 (0.04 to 0.19) | 0.27 (0.08 to 0.92) |
| MPS ≤ 9 mg/kg (43), (44) | 2/87 (2.3) | 16/82 (20) | 0.36 | 0.17 (0.08 to 0.26) | 0.12 (0.03 to 0.50) |
| Quality score | |||||
| > 50 (17), (42)– (44) | 3/137 (2.2) | 29/154 (19) | 0.58 | 0.16 (0.09 to 0.22) | 0.16 (0.05 to 0.49) |
| ≤ 50 (14), (46) | 2/47 (4.3) | 7/51 (13.7) | 0.70 | 0.08 (−0.03 to 0.19) | 0.35 (0.06 to 1.9) |
| Blinding | |||||
| Blinded (14), (17), (42), (43) | 4/124 (3.2) | 24/140 (17.1) | 0.76 | 0.13 (0.06 to 0.20) | 0.23 (0.08 to 0.69) |
| Not blinded (44), (46) | 1/60 (1.7) | 12/65 (18.5) | 0.12 | 0.14 (−0.01 to 0.29) | 0.20 (0.03 to 1.2) |
| Randomization | |||||
| Randomized (14), (17), (42), (46) | 3/97 (3.1) | 20/123 (16.3) | 0.59 | 0.11 (0.04 to 0.19) | 0.27 (0.08 to 0.92) |
| Quasi-randomized (43), (44) | 2/87 (2.3) | 16/82 (19.5) | 0.36 | 0.17 (0.08 to 0.26) | 0.12 (0.03 to 0.52) |
CI = confidence interval; FES = fat embolism syndrome; MPS = methylprednisolone succinate.