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Table 2 Methodological characteristics of the included trials

From: Vitamin C and common cold-induced asthma: a systematic review and statistical analysis

Study

Domain of interest

Description

Anah et al. 1980[27]

Design

Parallel-group trial.

 

Randomization

Reported as a randomized trial, but the method of randomization was not described.

 

Allocation concealment

Not described, but double-blinding implies that allocation must have been concealed.

 

Blinding of participants and personnel

Reported as double-blind, which implies that participants and personnel were blind; however, the persons who were blind are not explicitly described.

 

Blinding of outcome assessment

Reported as double-blind, which implies that outcome assessment was blind; however, the persons who were blind are not explicitly described.

 

Drop-outs

No description of drop-outs.

Schertling et al. 1990[30, 31]

Design

Cross-over trial.

 

Randomization

Reported as a randomized trial, but the method of randomization was not described.

 

Allocation concealment

Not described, but double-blinding implies that allocation must have been concealed.

 

Blinding of participants and personnel

Reported as double-blind, which implies that participants and personnel were blind; however, the persons who were blind are not explicitly described.

 

Blinding of outcome assessment

Reported as double-blind, which implies that outcome assessment was blind; however, the persons who were blind are not explicitly described.

 

Drop-outs

Total number of participants was 29, but histamine sensitivity is reported for 23 participants. The reasons for the 6 missing participants are not given.

Bucca et al. 1989[25, 26]

Design

Self-controlled trial. Two series of histamine challenge tests were done before and after vit C. The first series was carried out when the participants suffered from the common cold, and the second series was carried out 6 wk later after the participants had recovered. On both study days, vit C was administered after the baseline histamine challenge test and the second histamine challenge test was carried out 1 h later. No placebo.

 

Randomization

Not a randomized trial.

 

Allocation concealment

Not applicable.

 

Blinding of participants and personnel

Not blinded.

 

Blinding of outcome assessment

Not blinded.

 

Drop-outs

One participant out of 10 was excluded from the statistical analysis because she had whooping cough and not the common cold.