Note: The risk of bias by domain corresponds to the highest risk of bias among outcomes by domain.
The overall risk of bias corresponds to the overall highest risk of bias assessed among outcomes.
| Bias | Author's judgement | Support for judgement |
| Randomization |
Some concerns |
Quote: "patients underwent randomization in the hospital".
Comment: Allocation sequence probably random. No information on allocation concealment. |
| Deviations from intervention |
Some concerns |
Comment: Unblinded study (participants and personnel/carers).
Deviations from intended intervention arising because of the study context: No participant cross-over. No information on administration of co-interventions of interest: biologics, corticosteroids. Antivirals were reported. Hence, no information on whether deviations arose because of the trial context. Data for the outcome were analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis. This method was considered appropriate to estimate the effect of assignment to intervention. Risk assessed to be some concerns for the outcomes: Clinical improvement (D28). Serious adverse events. |
| Missing outcome data |
Low |
Comment: 20 participants randomized; 20 participants analyzed.
Data available for all participants randomized. Risk assessed to be low for the outcome: Clinical improvement (D28). Serious adverse events. |
| Measurement of the outcome |
Some concerns |
Comment: Method of measuring the outcome probably appropriate.
Measurement or ascertainment of outcome probably does not differ between groups. Unblinded study (outcome assessor) CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT Clinical improvement requires clinical judgement and could be affected by knowledge of intervention receipt, but it not considered likely to in the context of a pandemic. Risk assessed to be some concerns for the outcomes: Clinical improvement (D28). SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS The authors reported on serious adverse events that may contain both clinically- and laboratory-detected events, which can be influenced by knowledge of the intervention assignment, but is not likely in the context of the pandemic. Risk assessed to be some concerns for the outcomes: Serious adverse events. |
| Selection of the reported results |
Low |
Comment: Neither the protocol nor the statistical analysis plan was available. The prospective registry was available and the trail was analyzed as pre-specified.
Result was not selected from multiple outcome measurements or analyses. Risk assessed to be low for the outcome: Clinical improvement (D28). Serious adverse events. |
| Overall risk of bias |
Some concerns |