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Table 1 Outline of risk of bias assessment

From: Collaborative care for the treatment of comorbid depression and coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Aspect of trial bias assessed

Type of risk of bias in trial and clarification

1. Random sequence generation

Selection bias

2. Allocation concealment

Selection bias

3. Blinding of participants and personnel

Performance bias

4a. Blinding of outcome assessment - subjective outcomes

Detection bias; e.g. depression symptoms measured on a standardized self-report questionnaire

4b. Blinding of outcome assessment - objective outcomes

Detection bias; e.g. depression remission measured by a structured clinical interview

5. Incomplete outcome data

Attrition bias

6. Selective reporting

Reporting bias

7. Other bias

e.g. when bias may seriously alter the results, such as improper adjustment for baseline imbalances or funding bias