Association between funding source, methodological quality and research outcomes in randomized controlled trials of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics added to infant formula: A Systematic Review

Table 15 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Stool characteristics

Stool characteristics	Source of funding	No conclusion on reported outcome	Positive	Negative	Pearson’s chi Square	Fisher’s exact p value
Stool characteristics	Source of funding	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	n (%)^$$	Pearson’s chi Square	Fisher’s exact p value
Stool frequency N = 38	Industry	21 (55.3)	9 (23.7)		0.809	1.00
	None / Not clear	5 (13.2)	2 (5.3)
	Non industry	1 (2.6)
	Total	27 (71.1)	11 (28.9)
Stool consistency n =39	Industry	18 (46.2)	13 (33.3)		0.699	1.00
	None / Not clear	4 (10.3)	3 (7.7)
	Non industry	1 (2.6)
	Total	23 (59)	16 (41)
Stool pH N =12	Industry	5 (41.7)	3 (25)		0.679	1.00
	None / Not clear	2 (16.7)	2 (16.7)
	Non industry
	Total	7 (58.3)	5 (41.7)
Stool short chain fatty acids N = 9	Industry	3 (33.3)	3 (33.3)		0.638	1.00
	None / Not clear	1 (11.1)	1 (11.1)
	Non industry	1 (11.1)
	Total	5 (55.6)	4 (44.4)
Flatulence/Gas N = 15	Industry	10 (66.7)	4 (26.7)		0.533	1.00
	None / Not clear
	Non industry	1 (6.7)
	Total	11 (73.3)	4 (26.7)
Diarrhoea, Diarrhoea episodes N = 18	Industry	7 (38.9)	5 (27.8)	1 (5.6)	0.484	0.557
	None / Not clear	2 (11.1)
	Non industry	3 (16.7)
	Total	12 (66.7)	5 (27.8)	1 (5.6)
Constipation N = 4	Industry	2 (50)	1 (25)		0.505	1.00
	None / Not clear
	Non industry	1(25)
	Total	3 (75)	1 (25)	1 (25)

ISSN: 1471-2288