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Table 6 Association between Sponsor and methodological quality (risk of bias)

From: 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

Methodological quality

Source of funding

Yes (Low risk)

No (High risk)

Unclear

Chi-square p value

Fisher’s exact p value

N = 67 studies

n (%)$$

n (%)$$

n (%)$$

Sequence generation

Industry

26 (38.8)

 

14 (20.9)

0.435

0.465

 

None/Not clear

8 (11.9)

 

8 (11.9)

  
 

Non industry

8 (11.9)

 

3 (4.5)

  

Allocation concealment

Industry

21 (31.3)

 

19 (28.4)

0.315

0.338

 

None/Not clear

5 (7.5)

 

11 (16.4)

  
 

Non Iindustry

6 (9.0)

 

5 (7.5)

  

Blinding

Industry

18 (26.9)

 

22 (32.8)

0.395

0.457

 

None/Not clear

6 (9.0)

 

10 (14.9)

  
 

Non industry

7 (10.4)

 

4 (6.0)

  

Incomplete outcome data

Industry

36 (53.7)

1 (1.5)

3 (4.5)

0.023*

0.005*

 

None/Not clear

9 (13.4)

 

7 (10.4)

  
 

Non industry

7 (10.4)

 

4 (6.0)

  

Selective reporting

Industry

36 (53.7)

2 (3.0)

2 (3.0)

0.224

0.188

 

None/Not clear

11 (16.4)

4 (6.0)

1 (1.5)

  
 

Non industry

10 (14.9)

1 (1.5)

0

  

Free of other bias

Industry

35 (52.2)

 

5 (7.5)

0.033*

0.038*

 

None/Not clear

9 (13.4)

 

7 (10.4)

  
 

Non industry

8 (13.4)

1 (1.5)

2 (3.0)

  
  1. *Significant p < 0.05.
  2. $$Overall percentage.