ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The American Society of Haematology defines immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) as a common hematologic disorder characterized by a transient or long-term decrease in platelet counts (< 100 × 109/L.), purpura, and haemorrhagic episodes caused by antiplatelet autoantibodies, with the exclusion of other clinical conditions. We aimed to systematically determine the incidence of ITP in adults and children following influenza vaccination, the duration between vaccination and the occurrence of ITP, and to identify predictors of ITP after the vaccine. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct. We included primary studies that assessed the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia in individuals who had received any influenza vaccine (primary or booster dose), regardless of the dosage, preparation, time of administration, or age of the participants. We excluded studies that were (a) Narrative, scoping, and umbrella reviews ;(b) studies with no accessible full text, abstract-only studies, or (c) Overlapping or unreliable data. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. We categorized studies for qualitative analysis based on study design. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data, including the incidence of ITP after influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 729 articles retrieved from the database search, we included 24 studies. All patients identified and included in this systematic review presented with immune thrombocytopenia, determined by their platelet count. The period between vaccination and the occurrence of ITP ranged from (2:35 days). The mean duration was 13.5 days. The analysis revealed a statistically significant incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.85,95% CI [1.03-3.32] of ITP occurrence after 42 days. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza-associated ITP is uncommon, self-limiting, non-life-threatening, and curable. None of the patients reported having severe adverse events or death. Further studies are required to confirm the exact incidence of the ITP to better understand the pathophysiology of ITP development post-influenza vaccination.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established treatment for portal hypertension complications. Still, the role of adjuvant variceal embolization is a matter of debate. Thus, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TIPS with variceal embolization versus TIPS alone to prevent variceal rebleeding. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used PubMed, CENTRAL, and OVID to search for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies up to 17 June 20221117 June 2022. We pooled binary outcomes using risk ratios (RRs) presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: We included 11 studies (two RCTs and nine observational studies) with 1024 patients. Pooled RR favored TIPS with embolization in preventing variceal rebleeding (RR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.76); however, there was no difference between the two groups regarding shunt dysfunction (RR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.68, 1.23), encephalopathy (RR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.11), and death (RR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.22). CONCLUSIONS: TIPS with embolization can be an effective strategy for preventing variceal rebleeding; however, our results should be interpreted cautiously as most data were observational and the technical quality of the embolization is questionable. Further RCTs are required using the proper techniques of embolization and comparing TIPS with embolization with other treatment modalities such as endoscopic ligation, and balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration.
