Does erythropoietin affect the outcome and complication rates of patient with traumatic brain injury? A pooled-analysis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this meta-analysis was to review the scientific literature published until April 18, 2021, to summarize existing knowledge on the efficacy and safety of erythropoietin (EPO) for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS:

This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on the efficacy and safety of EPO in the treatment of TBI were systematically searched in relevant electronic databases according to a pre-designed search strategy. The primary outcomes are the mortality; and secondary outcomes are the good functional outcome (GFO) and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS:

A total of 10 RCTs involving 2,402 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The results showed that there is a significant difference in terms of the mortality (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54-0.84, P = 0.0003) and seizure rate (RR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.29-0.96, P = 0.04) between the EPO groups compared to those in the control groups. However, compared with the control groups, the GFO in the EPO groups was not statistically significant (RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.93-1.48, P = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS:

Findings of the present meta-analysis suggest that the use of EPO could reduce mortality rate in patients with TBI, without increasing the incidence of AEs. EPO has potential research and application value in the treatment of TBI.

• Authors: Yuping Li, Jun Zhang, Haili Wang, Lei Zhu, Hengzhu Zhang, Qiang Ma, Xiaoguang Liu, Lun Dong, Guangyu Lu
• Journal: Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (Neurol Sci) Vol. 43 Issue 6 Pg. 3783-3793 (Jun 2022) ISSN: 1590-3478 [Electronic] Italy
• PMID: 35044560 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: © 2022. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.

Chemical References

• Erythropoietin

Topics

• Brain Injuries, Traumatic (complications, drug therapy)
• Erythropoietin (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Seizures (drug therapy)