Mirabilite umbilical compress in treatment of ascites in liver cirrhosis: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of mirabilite umbilical compress in the treatment of ascites in liver cirrhosis.Methods The literature on the treatment of cirrhotic ascites with mirabilite umbilical compress was searched in CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,and Pub Med databases. A meta- analysis was carried out using the random effect model. The continuous and categorical data were expressed as aas standard mean difference( SMD) and odds ratio( OR),respectively. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included. The mirabilite umbilical compress treatment group showed a significantly higher response rate of ascites( OR = 3. 19,P 0. 0001) and significantly reduced abdominal circumference( SMD = 1. 69,P 0. 0001) and body weight( SMD = 2. 77,P 0. 0001) compared with the control group. After mirabilite umbilical compress treatment,alanine transaminase level was significantly decreased( SMD = 1. 92,P =0. 0009),albumin level was significantly increased( SMD =- 1. 78,P = 0. 0006),while aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed no significant changes( SMD = 3. 39,P = 0. 25). Conclusion Mirabilite umbilical compress is effective in the treatment of ascites in liver cirrhosis,yet its efficacy in improving liver function remains uncertain.