Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA) for the Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Anemia in Patients with Hemoglobin Levels (Hb) <11g/Dl- a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1305-1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Paladini ◽  
Otavio Clark ◽  
Luciana Clark ◽  
Tobias Engel ◽  
Eneas Faleiros

Abstract Background: Anemia is a frequent condition in patients receiving chemotherapy. ESA are effective to control this condition, but a recently published meta-analysis and warnings from regulatory agencies have pointed to a possible increase in mortality in these patients. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the safety of ESA when used according to label indications, that is, for patients with chemotherapy induced anemia (rather than cancer induced anemia) with Hb&lt;11g/dl. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials comparing the use of ESA versus placebo (or no treatment) in patients with chemotherapy induced anemia, for whom ESAs where indicated if Hb dropped below 11g/dl. The primary end-point was mortality. We searched several databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and CENTRAL, among others. All suitable papers were retrived and data regarding the quality of the studies and mortality rates were extracted. Then, we performed a meta-analysis of these trials, using RevMan 5.0 software. Results: □There were 17 studies, with 3788 patients, meeting our inclusion criteria. There were 566 deaths among the 2208 patients that received ESA and 488 among the 1580 on control groups. The meta-analysis showed no increase in mortality rates associated with the use of ESA (Relative risk (RR) = 0.95; IC 95% 0.88 to 1.03; P=0.22). Also, there was no heterogeneity in the analysis (I2=0%), showing that the results were consistent among the studies. When we analised the Hb cut-off point in 10g/dl, the meta-analysis results were similar (RR=0.97; IC 95% 0.87 to 1.07; P 0.52; I2=0%). Conclusion: When used as indicated on label, that is, for patients with chemotherapy induced anemia with Hb&lt;11g/dl ESA are NOT associated with higher mortality rates and remain a safe option for these patients.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin-hong Zhang ◽  
Jin-huan Yue ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Zhong-ren Sun ◽  
Qi Sun ◽  
...  

Objectives. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for the correction of nonvertex presentation.Methods. Records without language restrictions were searched up to February 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing moxibustion with other therapies in women with a singleton nonvertex presentation. Cochrane risk of bias criteria were used to assess the methodological quality of the trials.Results. Seven of 392 potentially relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. When moxibustion was compared with other interventions, a meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in favor of moxibustion on the correction of nonvertex presentation at delivery (risk ratio (RR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 1.49, andI2=0). The same findings applied to the cephalic presentation after cessation of treatment (RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.71, andI2=80%). A subgroup analysis that excluded two trials with a high risk of bias also indicated favorable effects (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.42 to 1.86, andI2=0%). With respect to safety, moxibustion resulted in decreased use of oxytocin.Conclusion. Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that moxibustion may be an effective treatment for the correction of nonvertex presentation. Moreover, moxibustion might reduce the need for oxytocin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Bisgaard ◽  
R. Kaufmann ◽  
M. W. Christoffersen ◽  
P. Strandfelt ◽  
L. L. Gluud

Background and Aims: The use of mesh repair in a small- or middle-sized umbilical hernia remains controversial, and evidence is based on only few and small heterogeneous randomized trials. The primary aim was to assess differences, if any, in recurrence (clinical and reoperation), and secondary aim was to assess differences in infections, seroma formation, hematomas, chronic pain, cosmetic result, and quality of life. Method: A systematic review (predefined search strategy) and meta-analyses were conducted based on pre-study strict and well-defined methodology. The literature search was completed on 1 January 2018. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Results: Five randomized controlled trials were identified (mesh repair, n = 326 versus non-mesh sutured repair, n = 330) and 602 records were excluded. Randomized controlled trials included patients with defect diameters of ⩾1 to 4 cm. Mesh repair reduced the risk of recurrence compared with sutured repair with a relative risk of 0.28 (95% confidence interval = 0.13–0.58, I2 = 0%, number needed to treat = 13 patients). Additional analyses found no differences between the two surgical techniques regarding infection (relative risk = 0.80, 95% confidence interval = 0.36–1.79), seroma formation (relative risk = 1.38, 95% confidence interval = 0.57–3.32), or hematomas (relative risk = 0.55, 95% confidence interval = 0.23–1.30). Lack of sufficient data precluded meta-analysis evaluating risk of seroma formation, hematomas, chronic pain, cosmetic result, and quality of life. Conclusion: Mesh repair is recommended for umbilical hernia of ⩾1 to 4 cm. More evidence is needed for the optimal placement of the mesh (sublay or onlay) and the role of mesh in patients with an umbilical hernia <1 cm.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-Yi Kim ◽  
Younbyoung Chae ◽  
Seung Min Lee ◽  
Hyejung Lee ◽  
Hi-Joon Park

Moxibustion has been used to treat various types of disease. However, there is still insufficient evidence regarding its effectiveness. This study was performed to summarize and evaluate the effectiveness of moxibustion. A search was performed for all randomized controlled trials in PubMed between January 1998 and July 2008 with no language restriction. The results yielded 47 trials in which six moxibustion types were applied to 36 diseases ranging from breech presentation to digestive disorders. Moxibustion was compared to three types of control group: general care, Oriental medical therapies or waiting list. Moxibustion was superior to the control in 14 out of 54 control groups in 46 studies. There were no significant differences among groups in 7 studies, and the outcome direction was not determined in 33 studies. Seven studies were included in a meta-analysis. Moxibustion was more effective than medication in two ulcerative colitis studies (relative risk (95% CI), 2.20 (1.37, 3.52),P= .001,I2= 0%). Overall, our results did not support the effectiveness of moxibustion in specific diseases due to the limited number and low quality of the studies and inadequate use of controls. In order to provide appropriate evidence regarding the effectiveness of moxibustion, more rigorous clinical trials using appropriate controls are warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiumei Tang ◽  
Duan Wang ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Jiali Chen ◽  
Zongke Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis which enrolled 25 prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the outcomes between total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) in patients with femoral neck fractures (FNFs). Methods We searched English databases which included PubMed, Embase (vis OvidSP), The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and Chinese databases Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, Wang Fang, and China Biology Medicine Disc (CBM) in July 2020. The quality of each study was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias. Risk ratios (RRs) and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled with random-effects models. Data regarding baseline characteristics, hospital and surgery outcomes, clinical outcomes, patients’ quality of life, common complications, prothesis-related complications, mortality, and costs were reported. Results A total of 25 RCTs involving 3223 patients (1568 THA and 1655 HA) were included. THA had longer hospital length (WMD = 0.721, P < 0.0001) and surgery time (WMD = 20.044, P < 0.0001), and more blood loss compared with HA (WMD = 69.109, P < 0.0001). THA showed better ratings in the Harris Hip Score during follow-up periods between 1 and 5 years while no differences within 6 months and after 9 years. THA was associated with higher quality-of-life EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) scores after 2 years of surgery but no difference within 1 year. There was no difference in common complications. THA had significant higher rate of dislocation (WMD = 1.897, P = 0.002) and lower acetabular erosion (WMD = 0.030, P = 0.001). For mortality, there was no difference during all the follow-up periods except for slightly higher 2-year mortality after surgery. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrates that THA has better medium-term functional results and quality of life and lower acetabular erosion rate, while HA shows better in reducing hospital stay, surgery time, and blood loss and also has lower dislocation rate.


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