| Domains Pertaining to Strength of Evidence | Magnitude of Effect | Strength of Evidence | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Studies; Number of Subjects | Risk of Bias; Design | Consistency | Directness | Precision | Summary Effect Size (95% CI)a | High, Moderate, Low, Insufficient |
| PTSD Symptom Reduction: CAPS-SX17, mean change from baseline | ||||||
| 1; 538 | Medium; RCT | NA, single studyb | Direct | Precise | WMD range, −2.1 favoring sertraline, p=ns | Low for no difference |
| Symptom Remission: SX17 score of ≤20 at week 12 | ||||||
| 1; 538 | Medium; RCT | NA, single studyb | Direct | Precise | WMD, −5.9; p=ns, | Insufficient |
| Prevention/reduction of comorbid depression: HAM-D, mean change from baseline | ||||||
| 2; 745 | Medium; RCT | Consistent | Direct | Imprecise | WMD range −0.7 to −0.1, p=ns in 2 of 2 trials | Moderate for no difference |
| Quality of Life: Q-LES-Q or WHO-5, mean change | ||||||
| 2; 745 | Medium; RCT | Inconsistent | Direct | Imprecise | 1 trial favored venlafaxine, the other favored sertraline, p=ns in both trials | Low for no difference |
| Disability/functional impairment: SDS | ||||||
| 2; 745 | Medium; RCT | Inconsistent | Direct | Imprecise | 1 trial favored venlafaxine, the other favored sertraline, p=ns in both trials | Low for no difference |
Data are from 1 multicenter trial comparing venlafaxine ER, sertraline, and placebo.69
Although this is a single trial, it was a multicenter trial including 59 outpatient centers in the US. We considered this in our SOE grade.
CI = confidence interval; NA = not applicable; NR = not reported; p=placebo; RCT = randomized controlled trial; S = sertraline; V = venlafaxine ER
From: Appendix I, Strength of Evidence
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