Characteristics of twenty-four studies included in the meta-analysis.

Abstract

<p>CCBs: Calcium Channel Blockers; RAS: Renin-angiotensin system.</p><p>*Some patients were lost to follow-up or withdrew, and the rate of lost to follow-up was not significantly different between the two groups.</p><p>GRADE Working Group grades of evidence. High quality: Further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect. Moderate quality: Further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. Low quality: Further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate. Very low quality: We are very uncertain about the estimate.</p><p>The risk of bias assessment is done using RevMan. Low risk of bias: Plausible bias unlikely to seriously alter the results, low risk of bias for all key domains (within a study), and most information is from studies at low risk of bias (across studies). Unclear risk of bias: That raises some doubt about the results, unclear risk of bias for one or more key domains (within a study), and most information is from studies at low or unclear risk of bias (across studies). High risk of bias: Plausible bias that seriously weakens confidence in the results, high risk of bias for one or more key domains (within a study), the proportion of information from studies at high risk of bias is sufficient to affect the interpretation of results (across studies).</p><p>Characteristics of twenty-four studies included in the meta-analysis.</p