1.
Efficacy of Platelet-rich Plasma for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Xuan Z, Yu W, Dou Y, Wang T
J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2020
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be beneficial for patients with low back pain. However, the results remain controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of PRP for low back pain. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of PRP on low back pain were included. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. The primary outcome was pain scores within 8 weeks. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. RESULTS Three RCTs involving 131 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention for low back pain, PRP injection was found to reduce pain scores significantly (mean difference: - 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], - 2.12 to - 0.81; p < 0.0001), improve the number of patients with > 50% pain relief at 3 months (risk ratio [RR]: 4.14; 95% CI, 2.22-7.74; p < 0.00001), and offer relatively good patient satisfaction (RR: 1.91; 95% CI, 1.04-3.53; p = 0.04). No increase in adverse events was reported after PRP injection (RR: 1.92; 95% CI, 0.94-3.91; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS Compared with control intervention for low back pain, PRP injection was found to improve pain relief and patient satisfaction significantly with no increase in adverse events.
2.
Perioperative blood transfusion is associated with worse clinical outcomes in resected lung cancer
Wang T, Luo L, Huang H, Yu J, Pan C, Cai X, Hu B, Yin X
Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2014;97((5):):1827-37.
Abstract
The deleterious effect of perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in patients with resected lung cancer has been controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to answer the question of whether perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion adversely affects recurrence and survival in patients with resected lung cancer. Included were 23 studies with 6,474 patients. The result showed allogeneic blood transfusion was significantly associated with earlier recurrence and worse survival in patients with surgically resected lung cancer. We suggest transfusion policy should be stricter in lung cancer patients undergoing resection, especially with early-stage disease. Prospective large-scale studies are still warranted. Copyright 2014 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.