Because DLW is an objective biomarker of TEE, and, therefore, a marker of energy intake under energy balance, the classification of reporting status using rEI TEEDLW was the "gold standard" in our analyses.
A classification of reported CAM use was made by the research group for following groups: vitamins and minerals, probiotics, fish oils and fatty acids, homeopathics, and other CAMs (including, e.g., preparations for cold; ginger preparations; preparations for warts, muscle pain, dieting, stomach function, and constipation; aloe vera products; other ointments).
LQAS allows for rapid classification of CHW reports as having high or low quality, defined as concordance between reports aggregated at the health center level and the original registries.
The review and the classification of the reports were undertaken by two researchers independently, and any distinctions were discussed and clarified.
The classification of case reports by scenario-type was checked by a clinical member of the project team (consultant anaesthetist).
This classification of participant reports was compared with changes in four variables from baseline to follow up.
Safety-related problems were identified by medical record review and patient interviews followed by physician classification of patients' reports.
Retrieval, screening and classification of full reports had previously resulted in the identification of 27 studies addressing barriers and 15 studies that included facilitators.
