Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Influenza is an acute contagious viral disease which may lead to significant losses of life annually. There are various but no specific drug treatments developed to cure this disease to date. Chinese medicinal herbs are potential drug resources and the therapeutic and toxic effects need to be identified.
Objectives: Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs in treating uncomplicated influenza in various age groups.
Methods: We searched the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group trials register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and The Chinese Cochrane Centres Controlled Trials Register of the latest issue.The database MEDLINE,EMBASE,CBM,and 83 Chinese journals were searched from inception through to present. We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field.
Randomised and quasi-randomised studies comparing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with western medicine or routine Chinese patent medicine plus western medicine,TCM plus western medicine with pure TCM or pure western medicine and one kind of TCM with another in various age groups of people with influenza.
Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.Meta-analysis was made if available.
Results: 12 trials involving 2174 people were included. The methodology of the studies including the mention of allocation concealment and the procedure of randomization and blinding was poorly reported. We will contact the authors for more information about the methodology.
11 trials compared TCM with routine treatment, 1 trial compared one kind of TCM with another. The total rate of marked improvement (including recovery)showed statistical difference between TCM and routine treatment (1d marked improvement rate: OR 32.72, 95%CI 15.11-70.84; 2d marked improvement rate: OR 3.21, 95%CI 2.29-4.50; 3d marked improvement rate: OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.76-4.98) and no statistical significance between one TCM and another(OR 1.22,95%CI 0.36-4.17). The total rate of curative effect showed statistical difference between TCM and routine treatment (2d curative effect rate: OR 14.61, 95%CI 6.50-32.84; 3d curative effect rate: OR 6.32,95% CI 4.18-9.56) and no statistical difference between one TCM and another(OR 1.56, 95%CI 0.24-10.05).
Only 3 of all the studies mentioned no obvious side effects in the participants. None of the studies provided data regarding adverse effects.
Conclusions: Chinese medicinal herbs are relative effective in treating uncomplicated influenza. The safety of TCM therapy remains to be proven. More high quality randomized controlled trials are required to promote the strength of evidence.
Objectives: Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs in treating uncomplicated influenza in various age groups.
Methods: We searched the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group trials register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and The Chinese Cochrane Centres Controlled Trials Register of the latest issue.The database MEDLINE,EMBASE,CBM,and 83 Chinese journals were searched from inception through to present. We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field.
Randomised and quasi-randomised studies comparing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with western medicine or routine Chinese patent medicine plus western medicine,TCM plus western medicine with pure TCM or pure western medicine and one kind of TCM with another in various age groups of people with influenza.
Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.Meta-analysis was made if available.
Results: 12 trials involving 2174 people were included. The methodology of the studies including the mention of allocation concealment and the procedure of randomization and blinding was poorly reported. We will contact the authors for more information about the methodology.
11 trials compared TCM with routine treatment, 1 trial compared one kind of TCM with another. The total rate of marked improvement (including recovery)showed statistical difference between TCM and routine treatment (1d marked improvement rate: OR 32.72, 95%CI 15.11-70.84; 2d marked improvement rate: OR 3.21, 95%CI 2.29-4.50; 3d marked improvement rate: OR 2.97, 95%CI 1.76-4.98) and no statistical significance between one TCM and another(OR 1.22,95%CI 0.36-4.17). The total rate of curative effect showed statistical difference between TCM and routine treatment (2d curative effect rate: OR 14.61, 95%CI 6.50-32.84; 3d curative effect rate: OR 6.32,95% CI 4.18-9.56) and no statistical difference between one TCM and another(OR 1.56, 95%CI 0.24-10.05).
Only 3 of all the studies mentioned no obvious side effects in the participants. None of the studies provided data regarding adverse effects.
Conclusions: Chinese medicinal herbs are relative effective in treating uncomplicated influenza. The safety of TCM therapy remains to be proven. More high quality randomized controlled trials are required to promote the strength of evidence.