Effects of L-carnitine on renal anemia and nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients:a Meta analysis / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of combined therapy with L-carnitine and erythropoietin on renal anemia and nutritional status in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis.Methods The combination of computer and manual searches were used.A Meta analysis was made regarding the effect of combined therapy with L-carnitine and erythropoietin on the improvement of renal anemia and nutritional status in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis.The quality of the 9 studies was evaluated with the Jadad score.Statistical analysis was carried out by RevMan 5.0.Results A total of 428 patients in 9 reports were analyzed.Metaanalysis showed that there were significant improvement in hemoglobin (Hb) [WMD =9.21,95％ CI (7.69 ～10.73)] and hematocrit (Hct) [WMD =2.61,95％ CI (2.28 ～ 2.93)],albumin (ALB) [WMD =1.64,95％ CI (1.04 ～ 2.24)] and total protein (TP) [WMD =2.72,95 ％ CI (0.67 ～ 4.77)] in the treatment group compared with the control group.The level of erythropoietin dosage [WMD =-38.24,95％ CI (-76.87 ～ 0.39)] was decreased significantly.But there were no significant differences in triglyceride and serum phosphorus.Conclusion Combined therapy with L-carnitine and erythropoietin in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis leads to significant improvement of renal anemia and nutritional status.