Table 2 The meta-analysis of the rate of adverse events of IGU monotherapy or combined therapy

Gastrointestinal reactions

IGU vs. MTX

7

356

359

OR = 0.69 (0.40, 1.04), P= 0.070

Cochran Q = 1.46, df = 6, P = 0.962, I² = 0.0%

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

13

540

534

OR = 0.98 (0.64, 1.51), P = 0.921

Cochran Q = 5.72, df = 12, P = 0.929, I² = 0.0%

IGU+Other drugs vs. Other drugs

2

83

84

OR = 1.43 (0.28, 7.45), P = 0.670

Cochran Q = 0.36, df = 1, P = 0.547, I² = 0.0%

Leucopenia

IGU vs. MTX

8

406

409

OR = 0.69 (0.34, 1.40), P = 0.309

Cochran Q = 3.39, df = 7, P = 0.846, I² = 0.0%

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

10

408

402

OR = 0.93 (0.48, 1.80), P = 0.838

Cochran Q = 2.03, df = 9, P = 0.991, I² = 0.0%

Increment in transaminase

IGU vs. MTX

2

52

58

OR = 2.7 (0.38, 19.09), P = 0.321

Cochran Q = 0.01, df = 1, P = 0.906, I² = 0.0%

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

5

204

201

OR = 1.90 (0.72, 4.99), P = 0.193

Cochran Q = 1.12, df = 4, P = 0.891, I²=0.0%

IGU+Other drugs vs. Other drugs

1

54

54

OR = 0.33 (0.01, 8.21), P = 0.497

Cochran Q = 0.0, df = 0

Increase of ALT

IGU vs. MTX

3

249

247

OR = 0.61 (0.38, 1.00), P = 0.051

Cochran Q = 1.95, df = 2, P = 0.376, I² = 0.0%

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

3

249

172

OR = 0.99 (0.50, 1.97), P = 0.985

Cochran Q = 1.08, df = 2, P = 0.583, I² = 0.0%

Liver damage

IGU vs. MTX

1

30

30

OR = 0.13 (0.01, 2.61), P = 0.182

Cochran Q = 0.0, df = 0

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

3

129

129

OR = 0.32 (0.07, 1.36), P = 0.123

Cochran Q = 0.00, df = 2, P = 1.000, I² = 0.0%

Other adverse reactions

IGU vs. MTX

5

304

301

OR = 0.56 (0.33, 0.95), P = 0.032

Cochran Q = 1.14, df = 4, P = 0.888, I² = 0.0%

IGU+MTX vs. MTX

12

614

532

OR = 2.42 (1.56, 3.77), P < 0.001

Cochran Q = 17.74, df = 11, P = 0.088, I² = 38.0%

IGU+Other drugs vs. Other drugs

2

83

84

OR = 1.02 (0.14, 7.42), P = 0.986

Cochran Q = 0.00, df = 1, P = 0.986, I² = 0.0%