OralHuangqiFormulae for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oralHuangqiformulae for the treatment of stable COPD.Methods. The major databases were searched until September 2010 and supplemented with a manual search. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of oralHuangqiformulae that reported on lung function, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, symptom improvement and/or frequency of exacerbations were extracted by two reviewers. The Cochrane tool was used for the assessment of risk of bias in the included trials. Data were analyzed with RevMan 5.1.2 software.Results. 25 RCTs (1,661 participants) were included. Compared with conventional therapy (CT) alone, oralHuangqiformulae plus CT increased FEV1, and a similar result was found comparingHuangqiformulae with no treatment. Improvements in SGRQ total score, COPD-related symptoms and reduction of frequency of exacerbations were found in patients receivingHuangqiformulae plus CT compared to those receiving CT alone or CT plus placebo. No serious adverse events were reported. However, there were some methodological inadequacies in the included studies.Conclusions. The benefits ofHuangqiformulae for stable COPD were promising, but its efficacy and safety have not been established due to methodological weakness and possible bias in the reported results. Further rigorously designed studies are warranted.