Erythropoietin, uncertainty principle and cancer related anaemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study was designed to evaluate if erythropoietin (EPO) is effective in the treatment of cancer related anemia, and if its effect remains unchanged when data are analyzed according to various clinical and methodological characteristics of the studies. We also wanted to demonstrate that cumulative meta-analysis (CMA) can be used to resolve uncertainty regarding clinical questions.

Methods

Systematic Review (SR) of the published literature on the role of EPO in cancer-related anemia. A cumulative meta-analysis (CMA) using a conservative approach was performed to determine the point in time when uncertainty about the effect of EPO on transfusion-related outcomes could be considered resolved.

Participants

Patients included in randomized studies that compare

SUBMITTER: Clark O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC130027 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature