Nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices: A meta-analysis.

Link to article at PubMed

Nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices: A meta-analysis.

World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Mar 14;21(10):3100-8

Authors: Qi XS, Bao YX, Bai M, Xu WD, Dai JN, Guo XZ

Abstract
AIM: To explore effects of nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs) in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.
METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant papers. A meta-analysis was performed using ORs with 95%CI as the effect sizes. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the studies including patients without varices and those with small varices.
RESULTS: Overall, 784 papers were initially retrieved from the database searches, of which six randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The incidences of large varices development (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.25-4.36; P = 0.95), first upper gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.24-1.47; P = 0.26), and death (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.45-1.10; P = 0.12) were similar between NSBB and placebo groups. However, the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in the NSBB group compared with the placebo group (OR = 3.47, 95%CI: 1.45-8.33; P = 0.005). The results of subgroup analyses were similar to those of overall analyses.
CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that NSBBs should not be recommended for cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.

PMID: 25780311 [PubMed - in process]

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