IntroductionPulsed radiofrequency (PRF) ablation is commonly used for the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP). However, it is unclear whether increasing the output voltage of PRF can safely improve its efficacy. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of high-voltage PRF ablation and standard-voltage PRF ablation for the treatment of patients with NP.Methods and analysisWe will search PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, conference proceedings for relevant abstracts, clinical trials registers (ClinicalTrials.gov) and the WHO’s International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (from the date of inception until 15 March 2022). Only randomised controlled trials will be included. Two reviewers (YJ and GF) will independently perform study screening and selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment and quality-of-evidence assessment. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis will be the efficiency rate in patients with NP. The secondary outcomes will include numeric rating scale score, visual analogue scale score, time to take effect, rescue drug dosage, quality of life using the health questionnaire (SF-36) and the incidence of adverse events. Meta-analyses will be conducted using standard meta-analysis software (RevMan V.5.3, The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark).Ethics and disseminationThe requirement for ethical approval was waived as our systematic review will be based on the published literature. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022297804.
IntroductionNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disorder over the last four decades, more evidence shows a high prevalence of sarcopenia in NAFLD that may influence disease severity. This meta-analysis aims to determine the association of sarcopenia with liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis in NAFLD.Methods and analysisWe will conduct the literature search using Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science databases, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (from the date of inception to 1 May 2022). There will be no restriction to the publication year. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles and abstract key study characteristics. The outcome of this meta-analysis is the strength of association of sarcopenia with liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis in NAFLD. The STATA (V.14, StataCorp, 2015) will be used to carry out the statistical analysis. Comprehensive evaluation of bias risk and heterogeneity will be performed before data synthesis. Also, consistency and evidence quality will be assessed.Ethics and disseminationThere will be no need of ethics approval as this systematic review is summary and analysis of existing literature. Final results may be presented in international conferences or a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022322685.
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