1.
Plasma D-Dimer Concentrations and Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zhou Z, Liang Y, Zhang X, Xu J, Kang K, Qu H, Zhao C, Zhao M
Frontiers in neurology. 2018;9:1114
Abstract
Background: The aim of our meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between plasma d-dimer and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched up to the date of March 19th, 2018, and manual searching was used to extract additional articles. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated to evaluate d-dimer levels. Results: Thirteen studies including 891 ICH patients and 1,573 healthy controls were included. Our results revealed that higher levels of d-dimer were displayed in ICH patients than those in healthy controls (95% CI= 0.98-2.00, p< 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on continent of Asia and Europe, sample size, as well as age in relation to d-dimer levels between ICH patients and healthy controls did not change the initial observation; whereas no differences of d-dimer levels were found between ICH and controls in America. Conclusions: This meta-analysis revealed that high level of d-dimer is associated with the risk of ICH. Plasma d-dimer is suggested to be a potential biomarker for patients with ICH in Asia and Europe rather than in America. There were no impact of sample size-related differences and age-related diversities on the risk of ICH with respect to d-dimer levels.
2.
20% subcutaneous immunoglobulin for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases: A systematic review
Song J, Zhang L, Li Y, Quan S, Liang Y, Zeng L, Liu Y
International Immunopharmacology. 2015;25((2):):457-64.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) are a group of rare disorders that patients do not have normal function of the immune system. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin 20% (SCIG-20%) was a candidate when considering replacement therapy with immunoglobulin in PID, but the evidence was not clear. To understand and interpret the available evidence, we conducted a systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of SCIG-20% for patients with PID. METHOD Literature searches were conducted in PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CBM, VIP, CNKI, WanFang, LILACS and U.S. ClinicalTrials.gov. Clinical studies published in full text that met predefined inclusion criteria were eligible irrespective of language. Reviewers independently assessed all potential studies and extracted data. The fixed-effect model was used in meta-analysis. RESULTS 4 studies involving 100 patients were included. The pooled rate of infection was 0.80 with the annual rate of 3.74. 38% patients missed days from work/school and annual rate was 4.54days in one year per patient. Only 4% patients were hospitalized due to infection and it costs 1.57days in one year per patient. 70% patients used antibiotics during 58.4days in one year per patient. 80 patients (80.0%) who experienced 1630 AEs were considered related to SCIG-20%. Only 7 related AEs were severe, of which, 4 were local reactions and 3 were headaches. Studies on health related quality of life and satisfaction suggested that patients with SCIG-20% had a good life quality and satisfied with SCIG treatment. CONCLUSIONS SCIG-20% treatment was not recommended for patients with primary immunodeficiency. Low quality of each outcome suggested that the evidence on effect of SCIG-20% for patients with PID is inadequate. Further comparative studies are urgently needed, especially in comparison with IVIG or SCIG of other concentrations.Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.