A systematic review of the effect of red blood cell transfusion on mortality: evidence from large-scale observational studies published between 2006 and 2010.

ABSTRACT: To carry out a systematic review of recently published large-scale observational studies assessing the effects of red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) on mortality, with particular emphasis on the statistical methods used to adjust for confounding. Given the limited number of randomised trials of the efficacy of RBCT, clinicians often use evidence from observational studies. However, confounding factors, for example, individuals receiving blood generally being sicker than those who do not, make their interpretation challenging. Systematic review. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies published from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010. We included prospective cohort, case-control studies or retrospective analyses of databases or disease registers where the effect of risk factors for mortal

SUBMITTER: Hopewell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3646177 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature