Complementary and alternative therapies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A Bayesian network meta-analysis...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Evidence-based medicine
• Integrative medicine

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global pandemic with increasing incidence.
• Current medical treatments for NAFLD lack definitive cures.
• Complementary and alternative therapies offer potential advantages for NAFLD management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of various complementary and alternative therapies for NAFLD.
• To provide a comparative analysis of different treatment options.
• To inform clinical decision-making and patient choices for NAFLD treatment.

Main Methods:

• Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) will be employed.
• Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be systematically searched in major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI).
• Data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be conducted by two independent reviewers.

Main Results:

• The study will compare and rank the efficacy of diverse complementary and alternative therapies for NAFLD.
• The safety profiles of these therapies will also be assessed.
• Rankings will be provided for both effectiveness and safety.

Conclusions:

• This NMA will offer credible evidence on the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for NAFLD.
• Findings are expected to guide clinicians and patients in selecting optimal therapeutic strategies.
• The study contributes to evidence-based practice in NAFLD management.