Table 5

Results of meta-analyses excluding and including results from preprints, by mortality outcome

Drug treatment durationMeta-analyses excluding unpublished preprintsMeta-analyses including all preprints
No of studies (participants)Risk difference with standard care/placebo (95% CI; per 1000 people)GRADE assessment for certainty of evidenceNo of studies (participants)Risk difference with standard care/placebo (95% CI; per 1000 people)GRADE assessment for certainty of evidence
Mortality
Corticosteroids
 1 month1 (6425)14.3 fewer (24.7 fewer to 2.6 fewer)Moderate2 (6489)14.3 fewer (24.7 fewer to 2.6 fewer)Moderate
 3 months5 (7667)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate6 (7731)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate
 6 months5 (7667)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate6 (7731)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate
 Current10 (7959)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate10 (7959)13 fewer (22.1 fewer to 3.9 fewer)Moderate
Remdesivir
 1 month2 (1298)27.3 fewer (53.3 fewer to 6.5 more)Moderate2 (1298)27.3 fewer (53.3 fewer to 6.5 more)Moderate
 3 months2 (1298)27.3 fewer (53.3 fewer to 6.5 more)Moderate2 (1298)27.3 fewer (53.3 fewer to 6.5 more)Moderate
 6 months3 (1882)28.6 fewer (53.3 fewer to 5.2 more)Moderate4 (7333)13 fewer (35.1 fewer to 14.3 more)Low
 Current5 (7415)11.7 fewer (32.5 fewer to 14.3 more)Low6 (8247)10.4 fewer (27.3 fewer to 9.1 more)Moderate
Lopinavir-ritonavir
 1 month1 (199)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low2 (250)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low
 3 months2 (250)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low2 (250)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low
 6 months2 (250)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low2 (250)29.9 fewer (71.5 fewer to 39 more)Very low
 Current7 (9427)5.20 more (6.5 fewer to 18.2 more)Very low7 (9427)5.20 more (6.5 fewer to 18.2 more)Very low
(Hydroxy)chloroquine
 1 month1 (30)NANA1 (30)NANA
 3 months1 (30)NANA2 (180)NANA
 6 months5 (1287)20.8 more (54.6 fewer to 174.2 more)Very low9 (6135)10.4 more (2.60 fewer to 24.7 more)Low
 Current19 (10634)11.7 more (0 fewer to 24.7 more)Low23 (10997)9.10 more (2.60 fewer to 22.1 more)Low
Ivermectin
 1 month0 (0)NANA1 (180)106.6 fewer (122.2 fewer to 65 fewer)Very low
 3 months0 (0)NANA4 (517)87.1 fewer (118.3 fewer to 22.1 more)Very low
 6 months1 (398)87.1 fewer (128.7 fewer to 916.5 more)Very low6 (1169)85.8 fewer (115.7 fewer to 0 fewer)Low
 Current5 (1220)36.4 fewer (93.6 fewer to 110.5 more)Very low9 (1879)63.7 fewer (100.1 fewer to 16.9 more)Very low
Interleukin 6 receptor blockers
 1 month0 (0)NANA1 (97)20.8 fewer (70.2 fewer to 66.3 more)Very low
 3 months2 (26)91 fewer (124.8 fewer to 165.1 more)Very low4 (435)15.6 fewer (54.6 fewer to 41.6 more)Very low
 6 months6 (1292)23.4 fewer (42.9 fewer to 0 fewer)Low7 (5408)22.1 fewer (31.2 fewer to 13 fewer)Moderate
 Current8 (5457)22.1 fewer (31.2 fewer to 13 fewer)Moderate11 (6303)22.1 fewer (31.2 fewer to 13 fewer)Moderate
Convalescent plasma
 1 month1 (101)45.5 fewer (92.3 fewer to 59.8 more)Very low2 (187)52 fewer (87.1 fewer to 13 more)Very low
 3 months1 (101)45.5 fewer (92.3 fewer to 59.8 more)Very low4 (428)57.2 fewer (88.4 fewer to 3.90 fewer)Very low
 6 months3 (898)6.5 fewer (41.6 fewer to 42.9 more)Very low7 (1185)22.1 fewer (48.1 fewer to 14.3 more)Very low
 Current9 (12962)2.60 fewer (10.4 fewer to 6.5 more)Moderate14 (16073)2.60 fewer (9.10 fewer to 3.90 more)Moderate
(Hydroxy)chloroquine (prophylaxis)
 1 month1 (744)NANA1 (744)NANA
 3 months1 (744)NANA2 (3151)0.8 fewer (2.3 fewer to 3.7 more)High
 6 months4 (8569)0.8 fewer (2 fewer to 3.7 more)High4 (8569)0.8 fewer (2 fewer to 3.7 more)High
 Current4 (8569)0.8 fewer (2 fewer to 3.7 more)High4 (8569)0.8 fewer (2 fewer to 3.7 more)High
  • GRADE=grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation; NA=not available.