Abstract:

Objective To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of thymopentin in adjuvant treatment of retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods The PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Sinomed, CNKI, Wanfang and VPCS database were retrieved online from the establishment of database to Aug 1st 2019. Both Chinese and English retrieval words were thymopentin and pulmonary tuberculosis. According to the retrieval strategies, a total of 326 related literatures were initially retrieved, including 322 in Chinese, and 4 in English. Finally, 18 studies were included in this study. The RevMan 5.3 was adopted in analysis on the sputum conversion rate of the treatment after 2 months and 6 months, the foci absorption rate, the cavity closure rate, the incidence of adverse events, the CD4 ⁺ level and CD8 ⁺ level of the retreatment positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Results Meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional treatments, thymopentin in adjuvant treatment of retreatment positive pulmonary tuberculosis could significantly enhance the sputum conversion rate after 2 months of treatment (RR (95%CI)=1.28 (1.17-1.40)), and 6 months of treatment (RR (95%CI)=1.24 (1.18-1.29)). The foci absorption rate (RR (95%CI)=1.27 (1.19-1.37)) and the cavity closure rate (RR (95%CI)=1.39 (1.26-1.54)) were also improved. There was no statistical significance in incidence of adverse events (RR (95%CI)=0.82 (0.63-1.07)). Analysis also indicated that CD4 ⁺ level (WMD (95%CI)=11.03 (8.79-13.27)) and CD4 ⁺/CD8 ⁺ level (WMD (95%CI)=0.51 (0.26-0.75)) were improved, while CD8 ⁺ level (WMD (95%CI)=-8.34 (-12.54--4.14)) decreased. Conclusion The current evidence shows that thymopentin is safe and effective in adjuvant treatment of retreatment positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

Key words: Thymopoietins, Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Therapeutic uses, Meta-analysis