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Meta-Analysis
. 2024;14(4):223-233.
doi: 10.1080/17581869.2024.2360381. Epub 2024 Jun 14.

The concentration of platelets in PRP does not affect pain outcomes in lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nicholas Averell  1   2 , Brandon Goodwin  1   2 , Seungkyu Park  1 , Seth Spicer  1   2 , Margaret Wilson  1 , Jessica Mitchell  1 , Nichole Martinez  1 , Meejan Palhang  1 , Jaimy Jabon  1 , Richard Jermyn  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The concentration of platelets in PRP does not affect pain outcomes in lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Nicholas Averell et al. Pain Manag. 2024.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the analyze the relationship between concentration platelet-dose in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and improvements in pain when treating lateral epicondylitis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted into five medical databases, exploring the difference in pain outcomes based on concentration of PRP. Results: Initial querying of the databases yielded 1408 articles with 20 articles ultimately included. There was no statistical significance between effect sizes of the two treatment groups (high and low platelet concentration; p = 0.976). Conclusion: Both large and small concentrations of platelets depict significant reduction in pain, however, between subgroups there was no significance. It can thus be concluded that concentration of platelets in PRP does not impact overall pain relief.

Keywords: Bone and cartilage; growth factors; pain; regeneration.

Plain language summary

[Box: see text].

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Article selection flow sheet per PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Data taken from [15,21].
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Included articles risk of bias assessment. Data taken from [23–42].
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Summary plot of Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) assessment. Data taken from [23–42].
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Included study effect size by concentration. Data taken from [23–41].
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Comparison of effect sizes between low and high platelet concentration platelet-rich plasma studies.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Forest plot showing significance as well as individual and pooled effect sizes. Data taken from [23–41].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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