[Meta-analysis of β-blockers for the primary prevention of liver cirrhosis with clinically significant portal hypertension with no or small esophageal varices].

Objective: To explore whether NSBB is suitable for the primary prevention of liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices. Methods: Relevant literatures were retrieved from Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, SinoMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases until December 12, 2020. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on NSBB use for primary prevention of cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices were collected. The literature was strictly screened according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) combined effect size. The development of esophageal varices and the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding were the primary outcome measures. Death (with a maximum average follow-up of about five years) and adverse events (adverse drug reactions, etc.) were the secondary outcome measures. Results: A total of 9 RCTs with 1396 cases were included. Meta-analysis results showed that, compared with placebo, NSBB significantly reduced the incidence of liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices to large esophageal varices progression (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.29-0.89, P=0.02), and mortality (with maximum average follow-up of about five years) (OR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.44-0.92, P=0.02); however, there was no statistically significant difference in the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding rate between the two groups (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.44-1.52, P=0.53). Adverse event incidence was greater in the NSBB than the placebo group (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.27-2.37, P=0.0005). Conclusions: NSBB use cannot reduce the initial upper gastrointestinal bleeding rate or adverse event incidence in patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by CSPH with no or small esophageal varices, but it can delay the progression of gastroesophageal varices and reduce patient mortality.