Outcomes for the RCT and adjusted and unadjusted outcomes for the observational study
| Duration of symptomsa Hazard ratio (95% CI) | Symptom severityb Mean difference (95% CI) | New/worsening symptomsc Odds ratio (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCT | Results controlling for baseline severity | 1.06 (0.96 to 1.18) | −0.07 (−0.15 to 0.007) | 0.97 (0.63 to 0.99)d |
| Observational study | Results controlling for baseline severity | 0.92 (0.76 to 1.11) | 0.06 (−0.11 to 0.23) | 1.04 (0.64 to 1.67) |
| Results controlling for baseline severity and confounding variables | 0.92 (0.73 to 1.16) | −0.01 (−0.19 to 0.17) | 0.85 (0.48 to 1.51) | |
| Results using propensity score weight | 1.06 (0.80 to 1.40) | −0.07 (−0.34 to 0.20) | 0.91 (0.48 to 1.66) |
↵a Resolution of symptoms rated ‘moderately bad’ or worse in treatment versus no treatment group.
↵b Difference of mean symptom severity score on days 2–4 after consultation between groups.
↵c Worsening of illness in the treatment group versus no treatment.
↵d Significant at P<0.05. CI = confidence interval. RCT = randomised controlled trial.