Table 3 Summary of findings based on the GRADE guidelines for HFNC
Outcomes | Number of studies | Risk of bias | Inconsistency | Indirectness | Imprecision | Publication bias | Relative risk | Absolute effect | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reintubation | 13 | No | No | No | No | Undetected | 1.10 (0.87–1.40) | 15/1000 (− 19–59) | ⨁⨁⨁⨁ High |
Mortality | 9 | No | No | No | Serious | Undetected | 1.09 (0.82–1.46) | 12/1000 (− 24–62) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
ICU stay | 9 | No | Seriousa | No | Serious | Undetected | – | − 1.03 (− 1.86–− 0.2) | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Abdominal distension | 5 | Seriousb | No | No | No | Undetected | 0.09 (0.04–0.24) | − 267/1000 (− 281–− 223) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Aspiration | 4 | Seriousb | No | No | No | Undetected | 0.30 (0.09–1.07) | − 63/1000 (− 82–6) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Facial injury | 5 | No | No | No | No | Undetected | 0.27 (0.09–0.88) | − 52/1000 (− 65–− 9) | ⨁⨁⨁⨁ High |
Intolerance | 3 | Seriousb | No | No | No | Strongly suspectedc | 0.22 (0.08–0.57) | − 214/1000 (− 252–− 118) | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Pulmonary complications | 3 | No | No | No | No | Strongly suspectedc | 0.67 (0.46–0.99) | − 41/1000 (− 67–− 1) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Delirium | 2 | Seriousd | No | No | No | Strongly suspectedc | 0.30 (0.07–1.39) | − 91/1000 (− 121–51) | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide | 11 | No | Seriouse | No | No | Strongly suspectedf | – | − 1.31 (− 2.76–0.13) | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |
Oxygenation index | 8 | No | No | No | Serious | Undetected | – | − 2.18 (− 8.49–4.13) | ⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate |
Respiratory rate | 9 | No | Seriousa | No | Serious | Undetected | – | − 0.5 (− 1.88–0.88) | ⨁⨁◯◯ Low |