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Seminars in Liver Disease Nov 2019Hyperferritinemia, observed in inflammation, iron overload as well as in combination of both, is found in ∼30% of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients....
Hyperferritinemia, observed in inflammation, iron overload as well as in combination of both, is found in ∼30% of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. The authors summarized the evidence regarding the potential cause of hyperferritinemia in NAFLD, as this may affect the indicated therapy. A systematic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library. In the majority of NAFLD patients, hyperferritinemia is due to inflammation without hepatic iron overload. In a smaller group, a dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS) is found, showing hyperferritinemia in combination with mild iron accumulation in the reticuloendothelial cells. The smallest group consists of NAFLD patients with hemochromatosis. Phlebotomy is only effective with hepatocellular iron overload and should not be the treatment when hyperferritinemia is related to inflammation, whether or not combined with DIOS. Treatment with lifestyle changes is to date probably the more effective way until new medication is becoming available.
Topics: Exercise; Hemochromatosis Protein; Hepatocytes; Homeostasis; Humans; Inflammation; Iron Metabolism Disorders; Mutation; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Phlebotomy
PubMed: 31330553
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1693114 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Dec 2019Venepuncture involves the introduction of a needle into a vein to collect a representative blood sample for laboratory testing. In the pre-analytical phase, haemolysis...
BACKGROUND
Venepuncture involves the introduction of a needle into a vein to collect a representative blood sample for laboratory testing. In the pre-analytical phase, haemolysis (the rupturing of erythrocytes and release of their contents into the extracellular compartment) has safety, quality and cost implications. Training in correct venepuncture practice has the potential to reduce in vitro haemolysis rates, but the evidence for this notion has yet to be synthesised.
DESIGN
Systematic review (PRISMA Checklist).
METHODS
Published studies on the effectiveness of venepuncture training on haemolysis rates were searched in relevant databases. The McMaster critical appraisal tool was used to assess methodological quality. The GRADE tool was used to evaluate the body of evidence in relation to the research questions. Implementation fidelity was also scrutinised in each study.
RESULTS
Eight out of 437 retrieved studies met the inclusion criteria. None were randomised controlled trials (RCT). Between-study heterogeneity in design, intervention characteristics and the biochemical threshold for haemolysis precluded a meta-analysis. Post-training reductions in haemolysis rates of between 0.4%-19.8% were reported in four of the studies, which developed their intervention according to a clear evidence base and included mentoring in the intervention. Rises in haemolysis rates of between 1.3%-1.9% were reported in two studies, while the intervention effect was inconsistent within two other studies.
CONCLUSION
There are no RCTS on the effectiveness of venepuncture training for reducing haemolysis rates, and findings from the existing uncontrolled studies are unclear. For a more robust evidence base, we recommend more RCTs with standardisation of haemolysis thresholds and training-related factors.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
While venepuncture training is an important factor influencing quality of blood sample in clinical practice, more robust evidence is needed to make specific recommendations about training content for reduction of haemolysis rates. Standardisation of haemolysis thresholds would also enable future meta-analyses.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Health Personnel; Hemolysis; Humans; Phlebotomy
PubMed: 31294491
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14997 -
BioMed Research International 2019Many trials have reported that bloodletting therapy is effective when treating chronic urticaria. There are currently no systematic reviews of bloodletting therapy for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Many trials have reported that bloodletting therapy is effective when treating chronic urticaria. There are currently no systematic reviews of bloodletting therapy for chronic urticaria.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to assess the effectiveness and safety of bloodletting therapy for chronic urticaria.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed. Disease activity control was assessed as the primary outcome. Response rate, recurrence rate, and adverse events were assessed as secondary outcomes.
RESULTS
Seven studies with 512 participants were included. One trial showed a significant difference between bloodletting therapy plus medicine and medicine alone in disease activity control (MD 0.67; 95% CI 0.03 to 1.31; p=0.04). Six trials (372 participants) showed a significant difference between bloodletting therapy and pharmacological medication in response rate (RR 1.10; 95% CI 0.97-1.26; P =0.15). Two studies (170 participants) showed a significant difference between bloodletting therapy plus pharmacological medication and pharmacological medication in response rate (RR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10-1.63; p=0.003). Two studies (126 participants) reported a statistically significant difference between bloodletting therapy and pharmacological medication in recurrence rate. No serious adverse events related to bloodletting therapy were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Bloodletting therapy might be an effective and safe treatment for chronic urticaria, but the evidence is scarce. More high quality trials are needed in the future.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bloodletting; Child; Chronic Disease; Humans; Middle Aged; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Urticaria; Young Adult
PubMed: 31139656
DOI: 10.1155/2019/8650398 -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Nov 2019To synthesize the evidence evaluating if blood samples are similar when obtained from peripheral intravenous cannula compared with venepuncture. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
To synthesize the evidence evaluating if blood samples are similar when obtained from peripheral intravenous cannula compared with venepuncture.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken.
DATA SOURCES
Searches were conducted in databases for English language studies between January 2000-December 2018.
REVIEW METHODS
The search adhered to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs critical appraisal instruments. The overall quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were identified. Findings suggest haemolysis rates are higher in blood sampled from peripheral intravenous cannula. However, haemolysis rates may be lower if a peripheral intravenous cannula blood sampling protocol is followed. For equivalence of blood test results, even though some results were outside the laboratory, allowable error and were outside the Bland-Altman Level of Agreement, none of these values would have required clinical intervention. With regard to the contamination rates of blood cultures, the results were equivocal.
CONCLUSION
Further research is required to inform the evidence for best practice recommendations, including, if a protocol for drawing blood from a peripheral cannula is of benefit for specific patient populations and in other settings.
IMPACT
Venepuncture can provoke pain, anxiety and cause trauma to patients. Guidelines recommend blood samples from peripheral intravenous cannula be taken only on insertion. Anecdotal evidence suggests drawing blood from existing cannulas may be a common practice. Further research is required to resolve this issue.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Blood Specimen Collection; Humans; Phlebotomy
PubMed: 31115075
DOI: 10.1111/jan.14078 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Oct 2019To compare the results of haematology, blood chemistry and coagulation tests between two blood sampling methods via venipuncture and peripheral venous catheter. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To compare the results of haematology, blood chemistry and coagulation tests between two blood sampling methods via venipuncture and peripheral venous catheter.
BACKGROUND
Laboratory results of the previous studies on blood sampling methods through peripheral venous catheter versus venipuncture are inconsistent. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand the discrepancies between the two blood sampling methods and to provide evidence for practice.
DESIGN
Systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA reporting guideline.
METHODS
Reviewed articles for this study were searched through database, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and ERIC (Educational Resource Information Centre). Hand-searching was also conducted.
RESULTS
We finally identified 17 studies for a systematic review, and 10 studies out of them were selected for a meta-analysis. A total of 678 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, there was no significant difference in haematology, blood chemistry and coagulation test values between two sampling methods via venipuncture and peripheral venous catheter.
CONCLUSION
Findings of this study provide substantial evidence that most blood tests via venipuncture and peripheral venous catheter would not be different. Patients will be benefitted by reducing the number of venipuncture if a series of blood tests can be conducted by using peripheral venous catheter. Thus, healthcare providers may refer to more reliable laboratory results on using peripheral venous catheter for without increasing the risk of bleeding events and pain on blood sampling sites due to frequent phlebotomies.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
The results of this study will be a good evidence to decide blood sampling methods in clinical practice.
Topics: Catheterization, Peripheral; Humans; Phlebotomy
PubMed: 31112315
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14918 -
European Journal of Drug Metabolism and... Dec 2019Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of tacrolimus in whole blood obtained from venipuncture is routinely practiced. Dried blood spotting (DBS) may act as a suitable...
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of tacrolimus in whole blood obtained from venipuncture is routinely practiced. Dried blood spotting (DBS) may act as a suitable alternative for tacrolimus TDM due to relative ease of sampling and processing. The objective of this literature review was to provide a critical evaluation on the feasibility (i.e., accuracy and precision) of DBS for predicting tacrolimus whole blood concentrations in solid organ transplant recipients. A comprehensive systematic literature search using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar was conducted. The primary objective was to extract the bias and precision data from the identified papers. In addition, the collection, storage, and analysis protocols were also summarized. Both adult and pediatric data were included. The reported bias data (primarily based on individual concentrations) in the majority of studies were within acceptable limits (< 15%). However, the precision data were not consistently reported. The area under the concentration-time curve of tacrolimus derived from DBS appeared to be a better predictor of whole blood compared to single concentrations based on a limited number of studies. No apparent differences in prediction were observed between pediatric and adult patients. Small sample sizes and the lack of complete description of the study population were common limitations. DBS is a promising approach for tacrolimus TDM. However, in order for DBS to become a useful substitute for tacrolimus whole blood monitoring in solid organ transplant patients, further systematic studies with sufficient power and comprehensive prediction error analyses are required.
Topics: Adult; Dried Blood Spot Testing; Drug Monitoring; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Male; Organ Transplantation; Phlebotomy; Tacrolimus; Transplant Recipients
PubMed: 31006833
DOI: 10.1007/s13318-019-00553-z -
Pediatrics Jan 2019: media-1vid110.1542/5852339542001PEDS-VA_2018-1173 CONTEXT: The eutectic mixture of lidocaine (EMLA) cream has been used to reduce the pain during venipuncture in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
UNLABELLED
: media-1vid110.1542/5852339542001PEDS-VA_2018-1173 CONTEXT: The eutectic mixture of lidocaine (EMLA) cream has been used to reduce the pain during venipuncture in infants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of EMLA in infants <3 months of age requiring venipuncture in comparison with nonpharmacological interventions in terms of pain reduction, change in physiologic variables, and methemoglobinemia.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and gray literature were searched from inception to August 2017, without language restrictions.
STUDY SELECTION
We selected randomized controlled trials in which researchers compared EMLA with nonpharmacological interventions.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two reviewers independently performed abstract screening and full-text review, and extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias.
RESULTS
Ten randomized controlled trials (907 infants) were included. EMLA revealed little or no effect in reduction of pain (standardized mean difference: 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.17 to 0.45; 6 trials, = 742; moderate-quality evidence) when EMLA was compared with sucrose, breastfeeding, or placebo. In comparison with placebo, EMLA revealed a small-to-moderate effect on increasing methemoglobin levels (mean difference: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.66; 2 trials, = 134; low-quality evidence). There was an increased risk of blanching of the skin in the EMLA group (relative risk: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.58 to 4.38; 2 trials, = 123; I = 84%, very low-quality evidence).
LIMITATIONS
Our results may not be applicable to older infants.
CONCLUSIONS
EMLA reveals minimal benefits in terms of reduction of pain due to venipuncture procedure in comparison with placebo and no benefit in comparison with sucrose and/or breastfeeding. Moreover, it produced an elevation in methemoglobin levels and skin blanching.
Topics: Anesthetics, Combined; Humans; Infant; Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Phlebotomy; Skin Diseases; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30587535
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-1173 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2018This is the second update of a Cochrane Review (Issue 4, 2006). Pain and distress from needle-related procedures are common during childhood and can be reduced through... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This is the second update of a Cochrane Review (Issue 4, 2006). Pain and distress from needle-related procedures are common during childhood and can be reduced through use of psychological interventions (cognitive or behavioral strategies, or both). Our first review update (Issue 10, 2013) showed efficacy of distraction and hypnosis for needle-related pain and distress in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of psychological interventions for needle-related procedural pain and distress in children and adolescents.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched six electronic databases for relevant trials: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE; PsycINFO; Embase; Web of Science (ISI Web of Knowledge); and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). We sent requests for additional studies to pediatric pain and child health electronic listservs. We also searched registries for relevant completed trials: clinicaltrials.gov; and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (www.who.int.trialsearch). We conducted searches up to September 2017 to identify records published since the last review update in 2013.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included peer-reviewed published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with at least five participants per study arm, comparing a psychological intervention with a control or comparison group. Trials involved children aged two to 19 years undergoing any needle-related medical procedure.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors extracted data and assessed risks of bias using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. We examined pain and distress assessed by child self-report, observer global report, and behavioral measurement (primary outcomes). We also examined any reported physiological outcomes and adverse events (secondary outcomes). We used meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of identified psychological interventions relative to a comparator (i.e. no treatment, other active treatment, treatment as usual, or waitlist) for each outcome separately. We used Review Manager 5 software to compute standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 59 trials (20 new for this update) with 5550 participants. Needle procedures primarily included venipuncture, intravenous insertion, and vaccine injections. Studies included children aged two to 19 years, with few trials focused on adolescents. The most common psychological interventions were distraction (n = 32), combined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; n = 18), and hypnosis (n = 8). Preparation/information (n = 4), breathing (n = 4), suggestion (n = 3), and memory alteration (n = 1) were also included. Control groups were often 'standard care', which varied across studies. Across all studies, 'Risk of bias' scores indicated several domains at high or unclear risk, most notably allocation concealment, blinding of participants and outcome assessment, and selective reporting. We downgraded the quality of evidence largely due to serious study limitations, inconsistency, and imprecision.Very low- to low-quality evidence supported the efficacy of distraction for self-reported pain (n = 30, 2802 participants; SMD -0.56, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.33) and distress (n = 4, 426 participants; SMD -0.82, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.18), observer-reported pain (n = 11, 1512 participants; SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.23) and distress (n = 5, 1067 participants; SMD -0.72, 95% CI -1.41 to -0.03), and behavioral distress (n = 7, 500 participants; SMD -0.44, 95% CI -0.84 to -0.04). Distraction was not efficacious for behavioral pain (n = 4, 309 participants; SMD -0.33, 95% CI -0.69 to 0.03). Very low-quality evidence indicated hypnosis was efficacious for reducing self-reported pain (n = 5, 176 participants; SMD -1.40, 95% CI -2.32 to -0.48) and distress (n = 5, 176 participants; SMD -2.53, 95% CI -3.93 to -1.12), and behavioral distress (n = 6, 193 participants; SMD -1.15, 95% CI -1.76 to -0.53), but not behavioral pain (n = 2, 69 participants; SMD -0.38, 95% CI -1.57 to 0.81). No studies assessed hypnosis for observer-reported pain and only one study assessed observer-reported distress. Very low- to low-quality evidence supported the efficacy of combined CBT for observer-reported pain (n = 4, 385 participants; SMD -0.52, 95% CI -0.73 to -0.30) and behavioral distress (n = 11, 1105 participants; SMD -0.40, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.14), but not self-reported pain (n = 14, 1359 participants; SMD -0.27, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.03), self-reported distress (n = 6, 234 participants; SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.56 to 0.04), observer-reported distress (n = 6, 765 participants; SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.50), or behavioral pain (n = 2, 95 participants; SMD -0.65, 95% CI -2.36 to 1.06). Very low-quality evidence showed efficacy of breathing interventions for self-reported pain (n = 4, 298 participants; SMD -1.04, 95% CI -1.86 to -0.22), but there were too few studies for meta-analysis of other outcomes. Very low-quality evidence revealed no effect for preparation/information (n = 4, 313 participants) or suggestion (n = 3, 218 participants) for any pain or distress outcome. Given only a single trial, we could draw no conclusions about memory alteration. Adverse events of respiratory difficulties were only reported in one breathing intervention.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We identified evidence supporting the efficacy of distraction, hypnosis, combined CBT, and breathing interventions for reducing children's needle-related pain or distress, or both. Support for the efficacy of combined CBT and breathing interventions is new from our last review update due to the availability of new evidence. The quality of trials and overall evidence remains low to very low, underscoring the need for improved methodological rigor and trial reporting. Despite low-quality evidence, the potential benefits of reduced pain or distress or both support the evidence in favor of using these interventions in clinical practice.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Central Venous Catheters; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Humans; Hypnosis; Immunization; Needles; Pain, Procedural; Phlebotomy; Punctures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Self Report
PubMed: 30284240
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005179.pub4 -
Voprosy Kurortologii, Fizioterapii, I... 2018This article was designed to describe the main pathogenetic factors underlying the development of lymphedema of the lower extremities, the social implications of this...
This article was designed to describe the main pathogenetic factors underlying the development of lymphedema of the lower extremities, the social implications of this condition, its prevalence throughout the world, and the impact of this disease on the quality of life of patients. In addition, the review presents the modern data on the management of patients with chronic lymphatic edema of the lower extremities. Special attention is given to the principles and methods of its combined conservative treatment, including the use of medications, compression therapy, physiotherapy, thalassotherapy, and balneotherapy. Moreover, the results of the analysis of the effectiveness of the treatment as a whole and of the individual methods, such as intermittent pneumatic compression (SPC), electrical myostimulation, laser therapy, magnetic-laser therapy (MLT) are reported with special reference to their outcomes when applied as isolated interventions and the components of the combined therapy. The review is devoted to the systematization of information about the currently available methods for the prevention and treatment of lymphadema of the lower extremities and the evaluation of the treatment regimens applied in this country and leading foreign clinical centres. Also considered are both the classical scheme of the combined treatment of lymphedema of the lower extremities and the schemes including novel therapeutic modalities. The most promising methods for the treatment of this condition including those proposed during a few recent years (such as kinesiotaping, LPG-engineering, and gravity therapy) are highlighted, and their influence on the generally accepted schemes of the combined treatment of lymphedema of the lower extremities is evaluated. The basic principles of modern pharmacotherapy and its role in the system of methods for the treatment of lymphedema of the lower extremities including phlebotomies, lymphokinesia, antibacterial drugs are considered.
Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Lower Extremity; Lymphedema; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality of Life
PubMed: 30168515
DOI: 10.17116/kurort20189504154 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2018Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest severe monogenic disorders, due to the inheritance of two abnormal haemoglobin (beta globin) genes. SCD can... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest severe monogenic disorders, due to the inheritance of two abnormal haemoglobin (beta globin) genes. SCD can cause severe pain, significant end-organ damage, pulmonary complications, and premature death. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are used to treat complications of SCD, e.g. acute chest syndrome (ACS) (this often involves a single transfusion episode), or they can be part of a regular long-term transfusion programme to prevent SCD complications.
OBJECTIVES
To summarize the evidence in Cochrane Reviews of the effectiveness and safety of RBC transfusions versus no transfusion, or restrictive (to increase the total haemoglobin) versus liberal (to decrease the haemoglobin S level below a specified percentage) transfusion, for treating or preventing complications experienced by people with SCD.
METHODS
We included Cochrane Reviews of randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, that addressed various SCD complications and had RBC transfusion as an intervention or comparator. We assessed the methodological quality of included reviews according to the AMSTAR quality assessment.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 15 Cochrane Reviews, 10 of which had no included studies with an RBC transfusion intervention (five reported RCTs with other interventions; and five contained no studies). Five of the 15 reviews included participants randomised to RBC transfusion, but in one of these reviews only 10 participants were randomised with no usable data. Four reviews (nine trials with 1502 participants) reported data comparing short- or long-term RBC transfusions versus standard care, disease-modifying agents, a restrictive versus a liberal transfusion strategy and long-term RBC transfusions versus transfusions to treat complications. All reviews were of high quality according to AMSTAR quality assessment, however, the quality of the included trials was highly variable across outcomes. Trials were downgraded according to GRADE methodology for risk of bias, indirectness (most trials were conducted in children with HbSS), and imprecision (outcomes had wide confidence intervals).In all four reviews and all comparisons there was little or no difference in the risk of death (very low-quality evidence). There were either no deaths or death was a rare event.Short-term RBC transfusion versus standard care (one review: two trials, 434 participants, GRADE very low- to low-quality evidence)In people undergoing low- to medium-risk surgery, RBC transfusions may decrease the risk of acute chest syndrome (ACS) in people with African haplotypes compared to standard care (low-quality evidence), but there was little or no difference in people with the Arabic haplotype (very-low quality evidence). There was also little or no difference in the risk of other SCD-related or transfusion-related complications (very-low quality evidence).Long-term RBC transfusion versus standard care (two reviews: three trials, 405 participants, very low- to moderate-quality evidence)In children and adolescents at high risk of stroke (abnormal transcranial doppler (TCD) velocities or silent cerebral infarct (SCI)), long-term RBC transfusions probably decrease the risk of stroke (moderate-quality evidence) and may decrease the risk of ACS and painful crisis compared to standard care (low-quality evidence). Long-term RBC transfusions may also decrease the risk of SCI in children with abnormal TCD velocities (low-quality evidence), but there may be little or no difference in the risk of SCI in children with normal TCD velocities and previous SCI (low-quality evidence).In children and adolescents already receiving long-term RBC transfusions for preventing stroke, in comparison to standard care, continuing long-term RBC transfusions may reduce the risk of SCI (low-quality evidence) but we do not know whether there is a difference in the risk of stroke (very-low quality evidence). In children with normal TCD velocities and SCI there was little or no difference in the risk of alloimmunisation or transfusion reactions, but RBC transfusions may increase the risk of iron overload (low-quality evidence).Long-term RBC transfusion versus RBC transfusion to treat complications (one review: one trial, 72 participants, very low- to low-quality evidence)In pregnant women, long-term RBC transfusions may decrease the risk of painful crisis compared to transfusion for complications (low-quality evidence); but there may be little or no difference in the risk of other SCD-related complications or transfusion reactions (very-low quality evidence).RBC transfusion versus disease-modifying agents (hydroxyurea) (two reviews: two trials; 254 participants, very low- to low-quality evidence)For primary prevention of stroke in children, with abnormal TCD and no severe vasculopathy on magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography (MRI/MRA), who have received at least one year of RBC transfusions, we do not know whether there is a difference between RBC transfusion and disease-modifying agents in the risk of stroke; SCI; ACS; or painful crisis (very-low quality evidence). There may be little or no difference in the risk of iron overload (low-quality evidence).Similarly, for secondary prevention of stroke in children and adolescents, we do not know whether there is a difference between these interventions in the risk of stroke; SCI; or ACS (very-low quality evidence); but hydroxyurea with phlebotomy may increase the risk of painful crisis and global SCD serious adverse events compared to RBC transfusion (low-quality evidence). There may be little or no difference in the risk of iron overload (low-quality evidence).Restrictive versus liberal RBC transfusion strategy (one review: one trial; 230 participants, very low-quality evidence)In people undergoing cholecystectomy, there was little or no difference between strategies in the risk of SCD-related or transfusion-related complications (very-low quality evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This overview provides support from two high-quality Cochrane Reviews for the use of RBC transfusions in preventing stroke in children and adolescents at high risk of stroke (abnormal TCDs or SCI) and evidence that it may decrease the risk of SCI in children with abnormal TCD velocities. In addition RBC transfusions may reduce the risk of ACS and painful crisis in this population.This overview highlights the lack of high-quality evidence in adults with SCD and the number of reviews that have no evidence for the use of RBC transfusions across a spectrum of SCD complications. Also of concern is the variable and often incomplete reporting of patient-relevant outcomes in the included trials such as SCD-related serious adverse events and quality of life.
Topics: Adolescent; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Antisickling Agents; Child; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Humans; Hydroxyurea; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stroke; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 30067867
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012082.pub2