Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 1, 2004; 10(23): 3500-3505
Published online Dec 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i23.3500
Effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on SARS: A review of clinical evidence
Ming-Ming Zhang, Xue-Mei Liu, Lin He
Ming-Ming Zhang, Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Xue-Mei Liu, Editorial Department, Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Lin He, Library of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Mrs. Xue-Mei Liu, Editorial Department, Chinese Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. cochrane@mail.sc.cninfo.net
Telephone: +86-28-85422079 Fax: +86-28-85422253
Received: December 23, 2003
Revised: January 22, 2004
Accepted: February 8, 2004
Published online: December 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To assess the possible effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on severe acute respiratory syndromes.

METHODS: The current available randomized controlled trials of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on SARS were identified through systematically searching literature in any languages or any types of publications. Additional studies of gray literature were also collected. The quality of studies was evaluated by two investigators independently based largely on the quality criteria specified CONSORT. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using RevMan 4.2.0 software developed by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS: Six studies (n = 366) fulfilling the inclusion criteria were found, of which the quality of one study was graded as B, the remaining five were graded as C. Two studies were performed with meta-analysis, the other four studies existed some heterogeneity for which meta-analysis could not be performed, a significant effect on lung infiltrate absorption was found in the treatment groups of these two studies [RR 6.68, 95%CI (2.93, 15.24), P < 0.01], there was no significant differences between the mortality [RR 0.86, 95%CI (0.22, 3.29), P = 0.82] and the average dosage of corticosteroid [WMD -39.65, 95%CI (-116.84, 37.54), P = 0.31]. The other three studies also showed significant differences in infiltrate absorption, including national drug No. 2. 3. 4 in combination with Western medicine [RR 5.45, 95%CI (1.54, 19.26)], compound formulas NO. 1 combined with Western medicine [WMD 0.24, 95%CI (0.02, 0.46)], compound formulas combined with Western medicine [RR 8.06, 95%CI (0.40, 163.21)]. Kangfeidian No.4 in combination with Western medicine had no significant effect on symptom improvement such as loss of dyspnea and cough [RR 1.50, 95%CI (0.41, 5.43)] and [RR 1.29, 95%CI (0.30, 5.43)].

CONCLUSION: Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicines has some positive effects on lung infiltrate absorption in SARS patients, and is recommended as an adjunct treatment for SARS. However, its effect on SARS requires further careful study due to limited available randomized control trials.

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