What criteria is used to assess the inconsistency of outcomes across different studies?
When heterogeneity existed within an outcome (chi-squared p<0.1, or I2 no plausible explanation could be found, the quality of evidence for that outcome was downgraded. Inconsistency for that outcome was given a serious score of 1 if the I2 was 50 74%, and a very serious score of 2 if the I2 was 75% or more. If inconsistency could be explained based on prespecified subgroup analysis (that is, each subgroup had an I2 <50%), the committee took this into account and considered whether to make separate recommendations on new outcomes based on the subgroups defined by the assumed explanatory factors.