Study Selection and Data Extraction
At least two reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction,
and quality assessment processes (IP, NGA, or KT). Initially, studies
extracted were compiled and imported to Covidence for further
processing. Duplicate studies were excluded, and unique studies were
screened for relevancy according to its title and abstracts. Then,
studies were reviewed for inclusion based on the full text and any
additional supplementary files. For studies that have met the inclusion
criteria, the following data were extracted using an extraction form:(1) author and its publication date, (2) study design,(3) location of study, (4) baseline characteristics:
sample size, age, sex, history of smallpox vaccine, specimen detection,
race/ethnicity, HIV status, sexual orientation, any GI and liver
comorbidities, and any antiviral treatment used, (5) outcome of
interest: proportion of GI and/liver manifestations in Mpox patients. In
a case of a disagreement between two reviewers, a third reviewer
arbitrated the dispute by performing an independent review of the study.