At 2 days to 12 months | |||||
Outcomes | Comparisons | Number of studies (n) | Event rates | RBI (95% CI) | NNT (CI) |
Treatment success† | PEG v other laxatives | 7 (632) | 74% v 50% | 47% (23 to 76) | 4 (3 to 6) |
PEG v lactulose | 4 (456) | 76% v 48% | 63% (40 to 90) | 4 (3 to 5) |
Weighted standardised mean difference (CI)‡ at 4–12 weeks | ||||
BMs/week | Cisapride v placebo§ | 2 (119) | 4.0 (0.4 to 7.6) | |
Fibre v placebo|| | 2 (102) | 0.35 (−0.04 to 0.74) |
*BM, bowel movement; PEG, polyethylene glycol; other abbreviations defined in glossary. RBI, NNT, and CI calculated from data in article using a random-effects model.
†Defined by individual studies.
‡Positive values favour laxatives.
§Cisapride was withdrawn from the market because of adverse events.
||Fibre = cocoa husk supplement or glucomannan.