Efficacy and safety of Huaiqihuang granule as adjuvant treatment for primary nephrotic syndrome in children: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Abstract BackgroundNephrotic syndrome (NS) is one of the most common childhood renal disorders globally, with an incidence of 2 to 7 cases per 100,000 children. A characteristic feature is massive proteinuria which may rapidly progress to end stage kidney failure, if uncontrolled. Most of the cases in children are steroid sensitive but associated with frequent relapses. Levamisole, a cheap antihelminthic has been used as steroid sparing agent in steroid sensitive NS (SSNS). This study assesses the efficacy and safety of Levamisole in African children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.MethodsWe will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all Randomised controlled trials which reported African children with Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who were on Levamisole compared to other drugs. Ten databases including PubMed, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Clinicaltrial.gov and Research Gate will be searched using a search strategy. The search will have no time restrictions, but studies must have been conducted among African children residing in Africa and are retrievable in the English Language. Studies will be selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers without blinding. The study quality will be assessed using the Pedro scale and risk of bias evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Eligible screened studies will be inlcuded for meta-analysis using the CMA Software. Statistical, clinical and methodological heterogeneity will be tested. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be performed on rate of relapses, adverse event and drug dose.DiscussionThe primary outcome will be the proportion of children with remissions and or relapses within 6 -12 months post initiation of levamisole or comparators with effect size being the relative risk. Safety of Levamisole will be measured using reported adverse events. Moderating effects of age, gender, duration of illness, and dosage of Levamisole on the duration of remission, frequency of relapses and adverse events will be examined.Systematic Review RegistrationThis protocol has been registered in PROSPERO, with registration number CRD42020213327.

Download Full-text

Adjuvant Corticosteroids With Surgery for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.786513 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Min Shi ◽

Ling-fei Xiao ◽

Ting-bao Zhang ◽

Qing-wen Tang ◽

Wen-yuan Zhao

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Adjuvant Treatment ◽

Observational Studies ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Chronic Subdural Hematoma ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Length Of Hospitalization

The use of adjuvant corticosteroids with surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) has received considerable attention in recent years. However, there is no conclusive evidence regarding its effectiveness and safety for CSDH. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of corticosteroids as an adjuvant treatment for the treatment of CSDH. We comprehensively searched electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) to identify relevant trials that investigated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant corticosteroids with surgery for CSDH, published from inception until May 2021. Outcome measures included recurrence rate, all-cause mortality, good functional outcome, length of hospitalization, and adverse events. We used the Cochrane risk of bias method to evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale to evaluate the quality of observational studies. We included nine studies, consisting of three RCTs and six observational studies, that compared corticosteroids as an adjuvant treatment to surgery with surgery alone. Pooled results revealed that the risk of recurrence was significantly reduced in patients who received adjuvant corticosteroids with surgery compared to those who underwent surgery alone (relative risk [RR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.39–0.69, p < 0.00001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between these groups in all-cause mortality (RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.37–2.23, p = 0.83), good functional outcome (RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.96–1.10, p = 0.47), length of hospitalization (MD = 0.35, 95% CI = –2.23 to 1.67, p = 0.83), and infection rates (RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.64–1.53, p = 0.95). Adjuvant corticosteroids with surgery reduce the risk of recurrence of CDSH, but do not improve the all-cause mortality or functional outcome, as compared to surgery alone. These findings support the use of adjuvant corticosteroids with surgery for CSDH patients. Further high-quality RCTs are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of adjuvant corticosteroids in the treatment of CSDH patients.

Download Full-text