Effects of rebamipide for chronic atrophic gastritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is defined as an important precancerous disease with high risk of gastric cancer. Rebamipide is a mucosal protective agent widely used in the treatment of chronic gastritis. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of rebamipide for the treatment of patients with CAG. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will perform a comprehensive retrieval in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed) and other sources. Two trained researchers will select the qualified studies for data extraction and assess the quality and risk of bias, independently. Then the meta-analyses will be conducted by using the RevMan 5.2 and stata 14.0. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by Cochrane X(2) and I(2) tests. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to evaluate the stability of the results. Funnel plot analysis and Egger test will be used to assess the publication bias. Finally, the quality of evidence will be assessed by the GRADE system. RESULTS: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether rebamipide is an effective intervention for patient with CAG. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/BKC3E.