Table 3:

Estimates for predefined subgroups, based on the imputed data set

Subgroup and treatment	Symptom score on days 2–5, mean ± SD	Difference (95% CI)
Subgroup and treatment	Symptom score on days 2–5, mean ± SD	Univariable	Multivariable^*
Children
Probiotic comparison
No probiotic	2.68 ± 1.61	Reference	Reference
Probiotic	2.52 ± 1.47	−0.16 (−0.73 to 0.41)	−0.27 (−0.90 to 0.36)
Gum comparison
No chewing gum	2.60 ± 1.50	Reference	Reference
Sorbitol gum	2.65 ± 1.53	0.06 (−0.61 to 0.73)	0.11 (−0.59 to 0.82)
Xylitol gum	2.55 ± 1.60	−0.05 (−0.75 to 0.66)	−0.09 (−0.83 to 0.66)
Xylitol comparison
No xylitol	2.63 ± 1.52	Reference	Reference
Xylitol	2.55 ± 1.60	−0.08 (−0.66 to 0.50)	−0.15 (−0.76 to 0.47)
Temperature > 37.5°C
Probiotic comparison
No probiotic	2.80 ± 1.74	Reference	Reference
Probiotic	2.52 ± 1.18	−0.28 (−1.21 to 0.65)	−0.14 (−1.37 to 1.08)
Gum comparison
No chewing gum	2.48 ± 1.40	Reference	Reference
Sorbitol gum	2.87 ± 1.61	0.39 (−0.66 to 1.45)	0.01 (−1.27 to 1.30)
Xylitol gum	2.69 ± 1.58	0.21 (−1.02 to 1.45)	0.08 (−1.45 to 1.60)
Xylitol comparison
No xylitol	2.69 ± 1.53	Reference	Reference
Xylitol	2.69 ± 1.58	0.01 (−1.06 to 1.08)	0.07 (−1.15 to 1.28)
Centor score ≥ 3
Probiotic comparison
No probiotic	2.86 ± 1.60	Reference	Reference
Probiotic	2.87 ± 1.61	0.003 (−0.36 to 0.37)	−0.04 (−0.42 to 0.34)
Gum comparison
No chewing gum	2.92 ± 1.54	Reference	Reference
Sorbitol gum	2.74 ± 1.59	−0.18 (−0.60 to 0.24)	−0.14 (−0.56 to 0.20)
Xylitol gum	2.95 ± 1.66	0.02 (−0.42 to 0.47)	0.06 (−0.40 to 0.52)
Xylitol comparison
No xylitol	2.83 ± 1.57	Reference	Reference
Xylitol	2.95 ± 1.66	0.12 (−0.26 to 0.50)	0.13 (−0.26 to 0.53)

Note: CI = confidence interval, SD = standard deviation.
↵* Based on multiple linear regression, controlling for age, duration of current sore throat, number of sore throat episodes in the past 3 months, prior tonsillectomy, inflammation of pharynx, cough, temperature > 37.5°C, pus on tonsils, cervical nodes, ever smoked and antibiotics prescribed (none, immediate, delayed).