Table 1 Quality of evidence, classification of recommendation and voting on recommendation

Category and grade	Description
Quality of evidence
I	Evidence obtained from at least 1 RCT
II-1	Evidence obtained from well-designed control trials without randomisation
II-2	Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control study
II-3	Evidence obtained from comparison between time or places with or without intervention
III	Opinion of respected authorities, based on clinical experience and expert committees
Classification of recommendation
A	There is good evidence to support the statement
B	There is fair evidence to support the statement
C	There is poor evidence to support the statement but recommendation made on other grounds
D	There is fair evidence to refute the statement
E	There is good evidence to refute the statement
Voting on recommendation*
a	Accept completely
b	Accept with some reservation
c	Accept with major reservation
d	Reject with reservation
e	Reject completely