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Evidence summaries

Propylthiouracil for Alcoholic Liver Disease

Propylthiouracil appears not to be effective for alcoholic liver disease. Level of evidence: "B"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 6 studies with a total of 710 subjects. There was no significant effect of propylthiouracil versus placebo on all-cause mortality (relative risks (RR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.30), liver-related mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.29), complications of the liver disease, or liver histology. The drug had adverse effects, including leukopenia.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by limitations in study quality (e.g. unclear allocation concealment and inadequate intention-to-treat adherence).

    References

    • Rambaldi A, Gluud C. Propylthiouracil for alcoholic liver disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005 Oct 19;(4):CD002800. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords