Expressing results for continuous data of a randomised controlled trial of probiotics for infection*
| Group | Outcome: HRQoL (symptom duration in days and symptom severity on a scale 0–133 per day) | ||
| Duration (days) | Severity (points) | Total population (n) | |
| Intervention (probiotic) | 5.58 | 100.43 | 101 |
| Control (placebo) | 7.11 | 157.3 | 97 |
Mean difference (MD) for duration of symptoms=mean (i) – mean (c) = 5.58 – 7.11 = −1.53.
MD for severity of symptoms=mean (i) – mean (c) = 100.43 – 157.3 = −56.87.
MD; the study reported HRQoL as duration and severity of symptoms using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-2.
*Smith et al.13
HRQoL, health-related quality of life .