Lower Level of Bacteroides in the Gut Microbiota Is Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Table 3

Scores from NOS system.

Studies	Comparability				Selection		Exposure			Score
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(1a)	(1b)	(1)	(2)	(3)
Andoh et al. 2011 [23]	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	9
Andoh et al. 2012 [15]	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	—	8
Ashorn et al. 2009 [16]	*	—	*	*	*	—	*	*	*	7
Basset et al. 2004 [17]	*	*	*	*	*	—	*	*	*	8
Kleessen et al. 2002 [18]	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	9
Sokol et al. 2006 [19]	*	—	—	*	*	*	—	*	—	6
Swidsinski et al. 2002 [20]	*	*	*	*	*	—	*	*	*	8
Swidsinski et al. 2005 [21]	*	*	—	*	*	—	*	*	*	8
Takaishi et al. 2008 [22]	*	—	—	*	*	*	—	*	*	7

Selection: (1) the case definition being adequate; (2) representativeness of the cases; (3) selection of controls, and (4) definition of controls. Comparability: (1a) comparability of cases and controls on the basis of CD, UC, and IC diagnosed of endoscope and pathological section; (1b) study controls for active phase with remission phase with IBD patients with CAI and CDAI. Exposure: (1) ascertainment of exposure; (2) same method of ascertainment for cases and controls; and (3) nonresponse rate.