Meta - Analysis Of The Treatment Of Ascites Due To Cirrhosis With

Aim: To systematically review the efficacy of mirabilite umbilical compress for the treatment of ascites in liver cirrhosis.Methods: All randomized controlled trials regarding the treatment of cirrhotic ascites by mirabilite umbilical compress were searched via CNKI, VIP, WANFANG, and Pub Med databases. The difference of continuous and categorical data was expressed as a standard mean difference(SMD) and odds ratio(OR) with a 95% confidence interval,respectively.Given the potential heterogeneity among studies, the meta-analyses were performed by using a random-effects model. Stats Direct software was employed for all statistical analyses.Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included. Compared with the control group, the mirabilite umbilical compress treatment group had a significantly higher rate of controlling ascites(OR=3.19, 95%CI= 2.07- 4.92, P<0.0001), and a more significant decline in abdominal circumference(SMD=1.69, 95%CI= 1.36- 2.02, P<0.0001), but the changes in the body weight(SMD=2.77, 95%CI=-0.61- 6.14, P<0.0001) and urine volume(SMD=1.054, 95%CI=-0.15- 2.27, P=0.09) were not significant. After mirabilite umbilical compress treatment, the alanine aminotransferase level was significantly decreased(SMD=1.92, 95%CI=0.79-3.05, P=0.0009), and albumin level was significantly elevated(SMD=-1.78, 95%CI=-2.80--0.76, P=0.0006), but aspartate aminotransferase(SMD=2.14,95%CI=-0.06- 4.34, P=0.056) and total bilirubin(SMD=3.39, 95%CI=-2.37- 9.15, P=0.25)levels were not significantly changed.Conclusions: Mirabilite umbilical compress is effective for the treatment of ascites in liver cirrhosis, but its efficacy in the improvement of liver function remains uncertain.