{Reference Type}: Meta-Analysis
{Title}: Role of hydroxyurea therapy in the prevention of organ damage in sickle cell disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
{Author}: Khargekar N;Banerjee A;Athalye S;Mahajan N;Kargutkar N;Tapase P;Madkaikar M;
{Journal}: Syst Rev
{Volume}: 13
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: 2024 Feb 8
{Factor}: 3.136
{DOI}: 10.1186/s13643-024-02461-z
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Hydroxyurea is an affordable drug that reduces vaso-occlusive crises and transfusion requirements in sickle cell disease. However, its effectiveness in preventing chronic organ damage is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the role of hydroxyurea in preventing organ morbidity.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We included original articles published in English from 1st January 1990 to 31st January 2023, reporting hydroxyurea therapy and organ damage from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and CrossRef databases. A total of 45 studies with 4681 sickle cell disease patients were evaluated for organ damage.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Our analysis showed that hydroxyurea intervention significantly lowered transcranial Doppler and tricuspid regurgitant velocity, with a standardized mean difference of - 1.03 (- 1.49; - 0.58); I 2 = 96% and - 1.37 (CI - 2.31, - 0.42); I 2 = 94%, respectively. Moreover, the pooled estimate for albuminuria showed a beneficial effect post-hydroxyurea therapy by reducing the risk of albuminuria by 58% (risk ratio of 0.42 (0.28; 0.63); I 2 = 28%).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our study found that a hydroxyurea dose above 20 mg/kg/day with a mean rise in HbF by 18.46% post-hydroxyurea therapy had a beneficial role in reducing transcranial doppler velocity, tricuspid regurgitant velocity, albuminuria, and splenic abnormality.<BR><B>BACKGROUND: </B>PROSPERO CRD42023401187.