Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with Fuzheng Huayu capsule for liver fibrosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials (CCTR), CBMweb and CNKI up to March 2008. The references of retrieved literature were also hand searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared Fuzheng Huayu capsule with placebo or other drugs were collected. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’ s software RevMan 4.2.10 was used for data analyses. Results Seven RCTs involving 590 cases of liver fibrosis of CHB were included. As for their methodological quality, one was graded A, one was graded B and the others were graded C. We carried out subgroup analyses based on treatment course and intervention measures. In terms of reducing haluronic acid, Fuzheng Huayu capsule was more effective than Huoluo Shugan capsule when the treatment course was 3 months (WMD=–61.75, 95%CI –105.20 to –18.30); significant differences were also noted between Fuzheng Huayu capsule and placebo (WMD=–187.72, 95%CI –244.23 to –31.21) or Huoluo Shugan capsule (WMD=–120.03, 95%CI –158.41 to –81.65) when the treatment course was 6 months. In terms of reducing IV-C, Fuzheng Huayu capsule was more effective than Gantaile when the treatment course was 6 months (WMD=–72.32, 95%CI –84.30 to –60.34). As for improving liver fibrosis at stage S, significant differences were observed between Fuzheng Huayu capsule and Gantaile (RR=2.33, 95%CI 1.37 to 3.96) or Huoluo Shugan capsule (RR=1.30, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.65). Except a very small number of gastrointestinal reactions, no significant adverse reactions were reported. Conclusion Fuzheng Huayu capsule is effective in reducing haluronic acid and improving liver fibrosis at stage S, especially when the treatment course is prolonged from 3 months to 6 months. No significant adverse reactions are reported. Because most of the included trials are of poor quality and small sample size, more high-quality RCTs are needed.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) in interrupting the intrauterine transmission of HBV.Methods The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2007), MEDLINE (1996 to April 2007), CBM (1978 to April 2007), and EMBASE (1980 to April 2007) were searched. The quality of included studies was evaluated and meta-analysis was performed. Results Four studies involving 359 participants with HBVDNA (+) were included. All the included studies were judged to be inadequate in regard to the reporting of randomization, concealment of allocation and blinding. Meta-analysis based on the included studies showed that HBIG significantly decreased the intrauterine transmission rate of HBV compared to the control group [OR 0.17, 95%CI (0.09 to 0.31), Plt;0.000 01]. No HBIG-related severe adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions HBIG is effective and safe for the interruption of intrauterine transmission of HBV. However, because of the high risk of selection and detection bias in the included studies, this evidence is not b enough. Large-scale randomised trials on the use of HIBG for the interruption of intrauterine transmission of HBV are needed