Distance management of inflammatory bowel disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Table 2 Risk of bias of included studies on distance management compared with standard clinic follow-up for adult inflammatory bowel disease patients

Author, yr	Selection bias	Performance bias	Detection bias	Attrition bias	Reporting bias	Source of funding
Cross et al[26],2012	Low (random permuted block design; concealed)	High	Low (research staff blinded to treatment allocation)	High (more discontinued in intervention group 8/25 vs control 1/22)	Low	Broad Medical Research Program, University of Maryland General Clinical Research Center Grant, General Clinical Research Centers Program, NCRR, NIH, Baltimore Education and Research Foundation
Elkjaer et al[27],2010	Low (randomisation program; closed envelope)	High	High	High (LTF higher in the web group 24% vs control 17%)	Low	Colitis Crohn Patient Organization, Moran’s Foundation, Vibeke Binder and Povl Riis’ Foundation, Bayer Health Care Funding, Augustinus Foundtaion, Munkholms Foundation, Tillotts Funding, Scientific Councel at Herlev Hospital, Prof. Fagerhol Research Foundation, Aase and Einar Danielsen Foundation, Ole Trock-Jansen and Hustrus Foundation, and European Crohn Colitis Organization
Elkjaer et al[27], 2010	Unclear (cluster randomization; no mention of concealment)	High	High	High (LTF higher in control group)	Low
Kennedy et al[28], 2004Richardson et al[29], 2006	Low (random number tables; concealed)	High	High	High (LTF higher in control group 24% vs intervention 13%)	Low	Health Technology Assessment Programme of the United Kingdom NHS (MS) Career Scientist Award in Public Health, NHS R and D(GS) Researcher Development Award, NHS R and D
Robinson et al[30], 2001	Low (computer generated lists, concealed)	High	High	Low	Low	(AR) United Kingdom Medical Research Council Training Fellowship
Williams et al[88], 2000	Low (computer generated lists, concealed)	High	High	Low	Low	NHS research and development primary/secondary care interface programme, West Wales and Swansea Group of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

LTF: Lost to follow-up; NCCR: National Center for Research Resources; NIH: National Institute of Health; NHS R and D: National Health Services Research and Development.