Table 2

Example of an evidence profile summary of findings given to the evaluators for them to grade in the pilot study. Example question: Should depressed patients in primary care be treated with SSRIs rather than tricyclics?

Outcome
SSRI
tricyclics
Effect
Quality
Relative importance









Relative (95% CI)
NNT/NNH



Depression Severity
5044 patients
4510 patients
WMD 0.034 (-0.007 to 0.075)
No difference


Transient side effects
1948/7032 (28%)
2072/6334 (33%)
RRR 13% (5% to 20%)
20


Poisoning fatalities*
1/100,000 per year of treatment
58/100,000 per year of treatment
RRR 98%
1754



* Uncertainty about baseline risk: Fatality data may be influenced by which pills are given to whom, and it is uncertain if changing antidepressant would deter suicide attempts

Atkins et al. BMC Health Services Research 2005 5:25   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-5-25