Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25501301›Full record

SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2014

Ursodeoxycholic acid for cystic fibrosis-related liver disease.

Katharine Cheng, Deborah Ashby, Rosalind L Smyth

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 28 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Ursodeoxycholic acid for cystic fibrosis-related liver disease.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017
    Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Features of Severe Liver Disease With Portal Hypertension in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis.Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · 2016
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Katharine Chengc/o Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis & Genetic Disorders Review Group, Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK. nikkij@liv.ac.uk.
Deborah Ashby
Rosalind L Smyth
Imperial College London · GBUniversity College Lahore · PKUniversity of Liverpool · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAbnormal biliary secretion leads to the thickening of bile and the formation of plugs within the bile ducts; the consequent obstruction and abnormal bile flow ultimately results in the development of cystic fibrosis-related liver disease. This condition peaks in adolescence with up to 20% of adolescents with cystic fibrosis developing chronic liver disease. Early changes in the liver may ultimately result in end-stage liver disease with people needing transplantation. One therapeutic option currently used is ursodeoxycholic acid.

objectivesTo analyse evidence that ursodeoxycholic acid improves indices of liver function, reduces the risk of developing chronic liver disease and improves outcomes in general in cystic fibrosis. SEARCH

methodsWe searched the Cochrane CF and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We also contacted drug companies.Date of the most recent search of the Group's trials register: 29 May 2014. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of the use of ursodeoxycholic acid for at least three months compared with placebo or no additional treatment in people with cystic fibrosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trial eligibility and quality. MAIN

resultsTen trials have been identified, of which three trials involving 118 participants were included; the dose of ursodeoxycholic acid ranged from 10 to 20 mg/kg/day for up to 12 months. The complex design used in two trials meant that data could only be analysed for subsets of participants. There was no significant difference in weight change, mean difference -0.90 kg (95% confidence interval -1.94 to 0.14) based on 30 participants from two trials. Improvement in biliary excretion was reported in only one trial and no significant change after treatment was shown. There were no data available for analysis for long-term outcomes such as death or need for liver transplantation. AUTHORS'

conclusionsThere are few trials assessing the effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid. There is insufficient evidence to justify its routine use in cystic fibrosis.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultBileChildChild, PreschoolCholagogues and CholereticsChronic DiseaseCystic FibrosisHumansLiverLiver DiseasesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicUrsodeoxycholic AcidCholagogues and CholereticsUrsodeoxycholic Acid

Identifiers

PMID25501301
OpenAlexW4237882982

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.