title: Nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices: A meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore effects of nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs) in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant papers. A meta-analysis was performed using ORs with 95%CI as the effect sizes. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the studies including patients without varices and those with small varices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 784 papers were initially retrieved from the database searches, of which six randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The incidences of large varices development (OR = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.25-4.36; P = 0.95), first upper gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.24-1.47; P = 0.26), and death (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.45-1.10; P = 0.12) were similar between NSBB and placebo groups. However, the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in the NSBB group compared with the placebo group (OR = 3.47, 95%CI: 1.45-8.33; P = 0.005). The results of subgroup analyses were similar to those of overall analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this meta-analysis indicate that NSBBs should not be recommended for cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Xing-Shun
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Da
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Na
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Xing-Shun Qi, Wen-Da Xu, Jun-Na Dai, Xiao-Zhong Guo, Liver cirrhosis group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110840, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
keywords: Beta-blocker; Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Variceal bleeding; Varices