Table 2

Pooled data on adverse events

Outcome achieved

with

Active

Placebo

Outcome

Number of trials

Number/total

Percent (95% CD)

Number/total

Percent (95% CI)

Relative (95% CI)

NNH (95% CI)

Adverse event withdrawal (all concentrations of imiquimod)

4

5/284

1.8 (0.2 to 3.4)

0/186

0 (0 to 0)

1.7 (0.4 to 9.9)

not calculated

Adverse event withdrawel (imiquimod 5%)

3

4/164

2.4 (0.0 to 4.8)

0/156

0 (0 to 0)

1.9 (0.4 to 10)

not calculated

Lack of efficacy withdrawal (imiquimod 2% or 5%)

5

5/303

1.7 (0.3 to 3.1)

21/285

7.4 (4.3 to 11)

0.3 (0.1 to 0.7)

-18 (-11 to -48)

The number needed to harm (NNH) describes the number of patients who have to be treated for one to have treatment-specific harm compared with placebo. Negative figures indicate that the harm occurs less frequently with treatment than placebo. NNH was not calculated when there was no significant difference between imiquimod and placebo. CI = confidence interval; NNH = number needed to harm

Moore et al. BMC Infectious Diseases 2001 1:3   doi:10.1186/1471-2334-1-3