Table 1

Grading of recommendations

GradeRecommendation (based on AHCPR,1994)
ARequires at least one randomised controlled trial as part of the body of literature of overall good quality and consistency addressing the specific recommendation
BRequires availability of well conducted clinical studies but no randomised clinical trials on the topic of recommendation.
CRequires evidence from expert committee reports or opinions and/or clinical experience of respected authorities, but indicates absence of directly applicable studies of good quality