Objective To compare the effectiveness of integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medicine and Western medicine alone for acute episodes of withdrawal in alcoholism. Methods According to the criteria of alcohol dependence and acute alcochol withdrawal syndrome of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-Ⅳ) , 62 consecutive patients were divided into two groups: 31 patients with odd numbers were allocated to the treatment group (4 patients were excluded because they left hospital early), 31 patients with even numbers were allocated to the control group. According to the four diagnostic methods of TCM, all patients in the treatment group were further divided into 4 types. The treatment group received valium, tiopronin, transfusion therapy and herbs (potion per day). The control group received the same therapy as the treatment group did but without oral herbs. Results Liver function, especially the difference between before and after treatment of GOT and γ-GT,the treatment group showed more improvement than the control group (P=0.046 and 0.001). The scores of anxiety and depression test, especially the HAMD, the treatment group showed more improvement than the control group (t=3.165, P=0.003). The treatment group used significantly less time than the control group (P=0.01), but no statistically significant difference was seen in the dosage of valium between the two groups (P=0.434). Conclusions The efficacy of integrated TCM with Western medicine is better than Western medicine alone for acute episodes of withdrawal in alcoholism.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta-analysis (SRs/MAs) in fields of integrated Chinese-western therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodsSRs/MAs in fields of integrated Chinese-western therapy for NSCLC were searched inPubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data from inception to July 10th, 2016. We also handsearched relevant journals such as Chin J Evid-based Med and reference of included studies, and tried to find the grey literature for additional studies. Two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data. Then methodological quality of included SRs/MAs were evaluated by AMSTAR scale. ResultsA total of 53 SRs/MAs were included, the highest and lowest scores of methodological quality were 9 and 1, respectively. The average score was 5.98±1.50. Results on the qualities of methodology or evaluation showed that 46 SRs/MAs (88.68%) was rated as moderate and 6 (11.32%) as low． The main problems were found in such areas as preliminary design scheme, literature searching, a list of included and excluded studies, etc.. ConclusionThe methodology of SRs/MAs in fields of integrated Chinese-western therapy for NSCLC have quality problems at different levels, further improvement should be expected.
Objective To explore the quality of the reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine from 1999 to 2004. Methods A manual search was performed and the 22 checklists of CONSORT statement and other self-established criteria were applied. Results Six volumes and 72 issues were checked. There were 1 874 clinical trials of which 1288 (68.73%) RCTs were identified in 2 765 articles. Randomization methods were described in 630 (48.92%) RCTs which showed there was more significant difference than the RCTs published in 1998 (Plt;0.001).In the 1288 RCTs, placebo control was reported only in 21 trials (1.63%) and endpoint measurements were reported in 114 trials (8.85%). Seven trials (0.55%) mentioned the estimation of sample size. None mentioned randomization concealment. Blinding was reported in 54 trials (4.2%) and P value was reported in 9 trials (0.70%).Flow chart was not mentioned in any trials. Compliance was reported in 2 trials (0.16%), and only one trial (0.08%) reported negative results. Ancillary analysis was used in 33 trials (2.57%). 10 trials are multi-centre RCTs. None of the trials reported the approval of ethics committee. Informed consent was reported in 3 trials (0.24%). Acknowledgements were mentioned in 3 trials (0.24%). Syndrome types defined by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were reported in 163 trials (12.66%). The criteria of intervention quality control was mentioned in 2 trials (0.15%). Double dummy was used in 8 trials (0.63%) and outcome measurement of TCM was reported in 258 trials (20.04%). All Items reported in RCTs were of low quality. Conclusions The quality of reporting of RCTs published in the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine from 1999 to 2004 has been improved, but it does not meet the CONSORT statement.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effectiveness of Chinese medicine with that of integrated Chinese medicine and antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of pneumonia. MethodsThe electronic medical record (EMR) of patients with pneumonia who were admitted to the Classical Department of Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 29, 2012 to June 17, 2022 were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were treated with antimicrobial drugs on the basis of Chinese medicine treatment. The non-exposed group was the traditional Chinese medicine group, and the exposed group was the integrated Chinese medicine and antimicrobial drugs group. Propensity score matching method was used to balance possible confounding factors. COX regression analysis was performed on the matched cohort to compare death rates among the groups, and Kaplan-Meier curve was drawn to evaluate the survival probability during hospitalization. The proportion of maximum oxygen concentration and duration of fever remission were compared between the two groups. ResultsThis study included a total of 898 cases, with the majority (over 95%) falling within the range of mild to moderate severity. After propensity score matching,180 patients remained in each group, among whom the baseline characteristics were comparable. The primary outcome indicators showed that the risk of death during hospitalization was same in the integrated Chinese medicine and antimicrobial drugs group and in the Chinese medicine group (HR=1.52, 95%CI 0.36 to 6.39, P=0.566), the subgroup analysis was consistent with the overall trend of the results, and the differences were not statistically significant. The results indicate that during the hospitalization, the overall and subgroup mortality rates were similar between the two groups. The treatment effectiveness on the disappearance of major symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum production, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain were comparable in both groups. The secondary outcome indicators showed that there was no statistical significance in the comparison of the proportion of maximum oxygen therapy concentration and the stable duration of fever remission between the two groups. ConclusionIn the treatment of patients with mainly mild to moderate pneumonia, the effectiveness of the Chinese medicine group and the integrated Chinese medicine and antimicrobial drugs group in the hospitalization mortality, the disappearance of major symptoms, the proportion of maximum oxygen therapy concentration and the stable duration of fever remission are similar. Chinese medicine has a positive significance in reducing the use of antimicrobials in patients with pneumonia.
Objective To explore the procedure options in the treatment for acute plasma cell mastitis with minimal compromise to breast appearance. Methods The clinical data of 19 cases diagnosed as acute plasma cell mastitis from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were adopted the same protocol as the combination of traditional Chinese medicine，abscess drainage at the proper moment，and the excision of focal mass after the acute inflammatory response diminish. Results The duration from taking traditional Chinese medicine to lumpectomy in all the patients were from 63 d to 97d，and the average time was 78d. Seven cases were treated with antibiotic before lumpectomy and 12 cases were treated with abscess drainage，and all the patients were cured satisfactorily. All the patients were followed up for 24-48 months with an average 36 months， there was no recurrence，and the shape of the treated breast remained consistent with the contralateral side，with the natural shape and smooth skin，and an undetectable thready mammary areola incision left. Conclusion The combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine could treat acute plasma cell mastitis efficiently and with an advantage of minimal compromise to breast appearance.
Objective To explore the condition and quality of domestic clinical therapeutic studies on integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for posthepatitic cirrhosis in recent 30 years. Methods Jadad scale was used to score 121 literatures selected from January 1980 to January 2010 in periodicals of domestic authoritative resources databases, such as CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, and CBM. Systematic reviews were conducted to 39 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) literatures of treating posthepatitic cirrhosis with integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine scored two or more points. Results In 30 years, the main problems existing in domestic posthepatitic cirrhosis clinical research of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine were as follows: the design of clinical RCTs was not strict enough; there was deficiency in the use of blind method; the standardized and uniformed research standard were insufficiency; the sample content was low without specific estimation methods; there was lack of analyses in compliance with cases falling off or without follow-up; and the report of adverse reaction and the quality of life research was neglected. Conclusion Posthepatitic cirrhosis therapy of integrated traditional Chinese and western medical is of “personalized” and “diversified” characteristics. Its therapeutic effects are significantly better than those of pure western medicine and worthy to be popularized in the clinic. However, the quality and level of its clinical scientific research methods still need further improvement.
The research background, way of thinking, research contents and methods of a united research project - "The Clinical Research on the Treatment of SARS with Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine" were reviewed. The latest research achievements on the treatment of SARS with integrated traditional and western medicine and the difficult points in the research were discussed. Furthermore, some tentative ideas were put forward to further the research. The conclusion was drawn that the principles of evidence-based medicine and the research scheme of multi-centered, prospective and randomized controlled trials, as well as the standard statistical and analyzing methods are the best way to assess the effectiveness and safety of treating SARS with integrated traditional and western medicine.