Meta-Analysis
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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2014; 20(10): 2695-2703
Published online Mar 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i10.2695
Antiviral therapy in cytomegalovirus-positive ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Uri Kopylov, Noa Eliakim-Raz, Andrew Szilagy, Ernest Seidman, Shomron Ben-Horin, Lior Katz
Uri Kopylov, Shomron Ben-Horin, Lior Katz, Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 5262, Israel
Uri Kopylov, Ernest Seidman, Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
Noa Eliakim-Raz, Department of Medicine E, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva 49100, Israel
Andrew Szilagy, Division of Gastroenterology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
Uri Kopylov, Shomron Ben-Horin, Lior Katz, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel
Author contributions: Kopylov U designed the study, collected the data, and drafted the manuscript; Eliakim-Raz N and Katz L collected and analyzed the data; Szilagy A, Seidman EG and Ben-Horin S designed the study and reviewed the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Uri Kopylov, Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada. ukopylov@gmail.com
Telephone: +1-514-3779356 Fax: +1-514-9348321
Received: August 30, 2013
Revised: December 22, 2013
Accepted: January 8, 2014
Published online: March 14, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: We have undertaken a meta-analysis of the existing literature in order to evaluate the impact of antiviral therapy on the outcome (colectomy rate) of ulcerative colitis patients with documented presence of cytomegalovirus. Nine studies of low to moderate quality with significant heterogeneity were included. Patients treated with antivirals did not have a better outcome in comparison to those who were not. These results should be interpreted with caution in view of low quality of the included studies and several potential biases. Additional high-quality studies are required to define the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for these patients.