Recombinant human erythropoietin plus methylprednisolone versus methylprednisolone in treatment of acute spinal cord injury：protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study is a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in combination with methylprednisolone (MP) for treating spinal cord injuries (SCI). The goal is to determine if this combination therapy improves neurological function in SCI patients compared to using MP alone. The researchers plan to search multiple databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that study the effects of rHuEPO plus MP on SCI patients. They will analyze the data from these trials to assess neurological function, quality of life, neurophysiological state, and related factors. The outcomes of interest include the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, WHOQOL-100 instrument score, and neurophysiological state. The study will also look at adverse events, treatment compliance, and acceptability.

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  The primary outcome will be the American Spinal Injury Association score at the time of follow-up.
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  The secondary outcomes will be the WHOQOL-100 instrument score, neurophysiological state and related factors.
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  This study will only include randomised controlled trials and will be the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin combined with methylprednisolone on neurological outcome in patients with spinal cord injury.