Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
July 4, 2026Journal of Clinical Apheresis

The Role of Therapeutic Apheresis in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Authors

LZL N ZhaoSichuan UniversitySMShaohui MaFirst Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversitySCSiyi ChenSichuan University

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Implication

Systematic review and meta-analysis assess therapeutic apheresis efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting specific techniques may be beneficial.

Key Points

  • This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic apheresis in managing refractory rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Systematic retrieval of studies from PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to December 2024.
  • Inclusion of 16 studies (10 RCTs, 6 case series) assessing apheresis interventions for RA treatment.
  • Meta-analysis performed using a random-effects model; methodological quality assessed with ROB2 and JBI checklist.
  • Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs showed no significant benefit of apheresis as standalone therapy; HAQ SMD -1.02 (95% CI: -2.15 to 0.11).
  • DFPP showed most consistent benefits when adjunct to DMARDs; ESR pooled MD -22.32 (95% CI: -61.74 to 17.11).
  • TPE and LPE had limited efficacy and higher adverse events; overall evidence certainty was very low to low.

Cite This Study

Zhao et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a48a3cb89561a0c2d78d86chttps://doi.org/10.1002/jca.70153
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews2021 · 107,295 citations
  2. 2Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice – Evidence‐Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Ninth Special Issue2023 · 674 citations
  3. 3The human bone marrow plasma cell compartment in rheumatoid arthritis - Clonal relationships and anti-citrulline autoantibody producing cells2023 · 21 citations
  4. 4The epigenetic landscape of rheumatoid arthritis: Pathogenesis and drug therapeutic potentials2025 · 13 citations
  5. 5Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials2011 · 7,832 citations