Table 11. Strength of Recommendations in GRADE
Strength Interpretation
Implications for
clinicians
Implications for
policymakers
Strongly in favor Almost all informed
patients would choose to
receive the intervention
Should be accepted
by most patients to
whom it is offered
Should be adopted as
policy
Conditionally
in favor
Most informed patients
would choose the
intervention, but a sizable
minority would not
Large role for
education and shared
decision-making
Requires stakeholder
engagement and
discussion
Conditionally
against
Most informed patients
would not choose the
intervention, but a small
minority would
Large role for
education and shared
decision-making
Requires stakeholder
engagement and
discussion
Strongly against Most patients should not
receive the intervention
Should not be
offered to patients
Should be adopted as
policy
Disclaimer
is Guideline attempts to define principles of practice that should produce high-quality patient care.
It is applicable to specialists, primary care, and providers at all levels. is Guideline should not be
considered exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining the same results. e
ultimate judgment concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by the clinician
aer consideration of each individual patient situation. Neither IGC, the medical associations, nor the
authors endorse any product or service associated with the distributor of this clinical reference tool.
Source
Ward MM, Deodhar A, Akl EA, et al. American College of Rheumatolog y/Spondylitis
Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network 2015
Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Non-radiographic Axial
Spondyloarthritis.
Abbreviations
NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; TNFi, tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors;
CRP, C-reactive protein; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; GC, glucocorticoid; IBD,
inflammatory bowel disease; SSZ, sulfasalazine
106 Commerce Street, Suite 105
Lake Mary, FL 32746
TEL: 407.878.7606 • FAX: 407.878.7611
For additional copies, order at GuidelineCentral.com
Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved
ACRANK15093b
