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Neutropenic Diet Cannot Reduce the Risk of Infection and Mortality in Oncology Patients With Neutropenia

Ma Y, Lu X, Liu H

Frontiers in oncology, 2022

1,114 participants · 20 citations

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of a neutropenic diet and a control diet on infection and mortality rates in oncology patients with neutropenia.

Methods: We searched the following English electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar Engine. Published studies involving neutropenic diets (study group) and control diets (control group) in oncology patients with neutropenia were searched. The focus of the meta-analysis was on the outcomes of infection and mortality rates. A subgroup analysis was also performed.

Results: A total of 6 studies were included, with a total sample size of 1114 patients. The patients in the study group had a similar infection rate compared with the patients in the control group (P = 0.11). The patients in the study group had a similar mortality rate compared with the patients in the control group (P = 0.74). Another subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of infection was also similar for pediatric (P = 0.74) and adult (P = 0.11) oncology patients between the study and control groups.

Conclusions: Based on the current evidence, this meta-analysis showed that the application of a neutropenic diet cannot reduce the risk of infection and mortality in oncology patients with neutropenia. However, more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this conclusion in the future.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,114 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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