Clinical evidence of growth hormone for patients undergoing abdominal surgery: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Table 4 Random effect model of standardized mean difference (95%CI) in improving postoperative nitrogen balance (A) and in reducing the duration of postoperative fatigue syndrome (C) and weighted mean difference (95%CI) in decreasing the length of hospital stay (B) and in increasing blood glucose levels (D) with GH as compared with placebo

Study	Treatment	Treatment	Control	Control	Weight	SMD (fixed)
	n	Mean (SD)	n	Mean (SD)	%	95%CI
Barry 1	7	1.6 (1.20)	10	4.90 (2.20)	21.23	-1.68 [-2.84, -0.52]
Kissmeyer-Nielsen	9	1.37 (0.55)	10	2.73 (2.00)	31.57	-0.86 [-1.82, 0.09]
Vara-Thorbeck 2	22	1.52 (0.43)	26	3.14 (0.75)	47.2	-2.55 [-3.33, -1.77]
Total (95%CI)	38		46		100	-1.83 [-2.37, -1.30]

Test for heterogeneity: χ² = 7.32, df = 2 (P = 0.03), I² = 72.7%. Test for overall effect: Z = 6.72 (P < 0.00001).