Nasal decongestants v placebo for the common cold*
| Outcomes | Dosage | Number of studies (n) | Weighted mean difference (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| *CI defined in glossary. Mean differences based on a fixed effects model. | |||
| †Not statistically significant. | |||
| Subjective assessment of congestion at 2 hours | Single | 4 (195) | −0.13 (−0.19 to −0.07) |
| Subjective assessment of congestion (5 d mean) | Repeated | 1 (31) | −0.07 (−0.21 to 0.07)† |
| Standardised mean difference (CI) | |||
| Objective assessment of congestion (nasal airways resistance) at 2 hours | Single | 4 (177) | −0.56 (−0.86 to −0.25) |