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 |
Low |
Comment: Allocation sequence generated randomly and concealed. Differences in baseline characteristics compatible with chance. Quote: "Randomization was performed by the Chief Pharmacist, using QuickCalcs -Random number calculators (© 2018 GraphPad Software, LLC; San Diego, CA), a free website tool. According to the sequential order of the randomization center, eligible patients were allocated to receive medication in individually numbered packs. The Chief Pharmacist kept the code for the records until the end of the study." |
| Deviations from intervention |
Low |
Quote: "This is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial"
"Randomization was performed by the Chief Pharmacist [who]...kept the code for the records until the end of the study" "Medications A and B (NAC and saline) will be provided...in the form of bottles labeled only as A and B." Comment: double blind trial (patients and physicians) Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat analysis. |
| Missing outcome data |
* |
No outcome data collected |
| Measurement of the outcome |
* |
No outcome data collected. |
| Selection of the reported results |
* |
No outcome data collected. |
| Overall risk of bias |
* |