Granulocyte-Colony-Stimulating Factor Effectively Shortens Recovery Duration in Anti-Thyroid-Drug-Induced Agranulocytosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and aim: Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is highly beneficial as a general treatment for anti-thyroid drug (ATD)-induced agranulocytosis. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical effects of G-CSF and non-G-CSF on recovery duration in patients with ATD-induced agranulocytosis by analyzing the overall clinical outcomes.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched for published studies from 1900 to 2018. No language restriction was implemented.

Results

This meta-analysis included 10 published retrospective studies and one prospective study. Data were obtained from 11 trials (474 patients: 247 with G-CSF and 227 with non-G-CSF treatment). Compared with the non-G-CSF group, the G-CSF group presented shorter recovery duration [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -3.04 days, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): -4.38 to -1.69 (Z = 4.43 P = 0.000)]. However, the recovery duration varied across regions and recovery criteria. Asian patients achieved significant clinical outcomes [WMD = -3.16 days (95% CI: -4.58 to -1.74, P = 0.000)] compared with European and South American patients [WMD = -2.19 days (95% CI: -7.38 to 3.01, P = 0.409)]. Also, according to various recovery criteria, a duration of granulocyte count increase of more than 1.5 or 1.0 × 109/L [WMD = -3.50 days (95% CI: -4.82 to -2.18, P = 0.000)] revealed a better treatment effect.

Conclusion

G-CSF can significantly shorten the recovery duration in patients with ATD-induced agranulocytosis.