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Fig. 4 | Molecular Autism

Fig. 4

From: Placebo response in pharmacological and dietary supplement trials of autism spectrum disorder (ASD): systematic review and meta-regression analysis

Fig. 4

Placebo response in scales measuring overall core symptoms. Squares and bars represent standardized mean changes (SMC) and 95% confidence intervals for each study. The size of the square is proportional to the weight of the study in the meta-analysis. The diamond represent the pooled SMC. Heterogeneity is quantified with a χ2 test (Q) and I2. *In Anagnostou 2012, we reversed baseline and endpoint values of SRS: in the manuscript, original baseline values were lower than endpoint in both placebo and oxytocin arms, meaning an increase of severity of symptoms during the study, which is not consistent with the reported positive effect size and the other outcomes (no reply from the corresponding author), in Saad 2015, CARS was rated by caregivers but it was unclear if also filled by clinicians (no reply from the corresponding author), as well as in RUPP 2002 and Handen 2012 the Ritvo-Freeman Life Rating Scale was rated by caregivers. Scale: the scale used (clinician rated scales based on observation or interviews were preferred in the primary analysis); n: the number of participants on placebo; mean: mean change from baseline to endpoint (negative values for improvement); sd: the standard deviation used for the standardization (baseline standard deviations were preferred); SMC: standardized mean changes, 95% CI: 95% confidence intervals, k= total number of studies included in the analysis

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