Objective To assess the quality of the published randomized controlled trials published in Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JBUTCM), Acta Universitatis Traditionis Medicalis Sinensis Pharmacologiaeque Shanghai (AUTMSPS), Journal of Guangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JGUTCM), and Journal of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (JCUTCM) from 2000 to 2005. Method Guided by the Cochrane Center hand-searching guidelines, we searched 24 volumes (111 issues) of the four journals. The data were extracted according to the principles of clinical epidemiology and consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT), as well as an evaluation scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The data were managed by descriptive analysis and uniformity test. Results There were 365 RCTs. The diagnostic criteria were reported in 297 trials (81.37%). The inclusion and exclusion criteria were reported in 143 trials (39.18%) and 132 trials (36.16%), perspectively, None mentioned the estimation of sample size. The randomization and allocation concealment were reported in 70 trials (19.18%) and 9 trials, perspectively. The baseline data were described in 292 trials (80.00%). Blinding was mentioned in 35 trials (9.59%).Withdrawal occurred in 20 trials (5.48%). Informed consent was acquired in 2 trials. Adverse drug reactions were described in 97 trails (26.58%). Conclusion There are deficiencies in the reporting of these RCTs, Most of the trials do not describe the randomization, only a few trials use the allocation concealment and blinded method, no description of comparability of baseline data, most of the trials do not report the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and none estimate the sample size. These problems indicate that it is necessary to improve the quality of clinical research in Chinese medicine and pharmacology.
Objective To prepare carboxymethyl-chitosan/hyaluronic acid/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CHP) blend membrane, evaluate its physicochemical properties and intraocular biocompatibil ity and to investigate its feasibil ity to be appl ied to glaucoma filtering surgery. Methods CHP blend membrane was prepared using solution casting method after blending carboxymethyl-chitosan, HA and poly(vinyl alcohol) in a proportion of 5 ∶ 4 ∶ 1 (M/M). Its water absorption rate, swell ing rate, permeabil ity, and mechanical properties were detected. Subconjunctival fibroblasts separated from subconjuncitival tissue of New Zealand white rabbits were cultured, and the cells at passage 4 were cultured on cell culture plate with or without the CHP blend membrane, serving as the experimental group and the control group, respectively. Effectof the CHP blend membrane on the subconjunctival fibroblasts was tested by MTT method 24, 48, and 72 hours after culture. Six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (n=3 rabbits per group), and the CHP blend membrane and SK gel were implanted into the rabbits’ subconjunctival space and anterior chamber in the experimental group and the control group, respectively. Sl it lamp observation and binocular reaction record were conducted 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days after operation. Corneal tissue harvested from the experimental group was observed using scanning electron microscope 15 days after operation to study ophthalmic biocompatibil ity and biodegradabil ity. Results The water absorption rate and the swell ing rate of the CHP blend membrane was 83.8% ± 1.3% and 3.59 ± 0.50, respectively. The tensile strength of the dry and the wet CHP blend membrane was (20.59 ± 1.73) and (0.51 ± 0.13) MPa, respectively. The breaking elongation rate of the dry and the wet CHP blend membcane was 10.69% ± 1.16% and 53.15% ± 2.46%, respectively. The CHP blend membrane had good permeabil ity to NaCl and L-tyrosine. Absorbance (A) value of the experimental group 24, 48, and 72 hours after breeding was 0.207 ± 0.083, 0.174 ± 0.080, and 0.181 ± 0.048, respectively, while the A value of the control group was 0.284 ± 0.011, 0.272 ± 0.083, and 0.307 ± 0.056, respectively. Significant difference was evident between two groups (P lt; 0.05). In the experimental group, a small amount of floccus was exuded around the implanted membrane 1 day after operation; the floccus was absorbed on the third day, and there was no obvious inflammatory reaction occurring on the eleventh day. Most of the membrane degraded on the sixtieth day. Scanning electron microscope observation showed that the hexagonal morphology of the corneal endothel ial cells was intact, and no degradation particles adhered to the surface. In the control group, the implantation of SK gel into anterior chamber was unsuccessful because the SK gel was quite soft and easily broken. In the experimental group, mild hyperemia emerged around the implanted membrane 1 day after the subconjunctival implantation of the membrane, and it became normal on the ninth day. No corneal edema and inflammatory reaction of anterior chamber occurred till the sixtieth day. The results in the control group and the experiment group were similar. Conclusion Due to its good physicochemical properties and biocompatibil ity, the CHP blend membrane has potential appl ications in glaucomafiltering surgery.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Lianpu granule (LPG) in the treatment of common cold (Feng-Re syndrome). Methods The clinical trials were conducted by good clinical practice (GCP). In the phaseⅡ, a double-blind controlled trial involving 48 patients with common cold (Feng-Re syndrome) allocated by a random number table to receive LPG (n=24) or compound oral liquid of Shuanghuanglian (SHL) (n=24) as conducted; the other 80 patients included in the phase Ⅲ, multi-center randomized and controlled trial were divided into the LPG group (n=60) and SHL group (n=20) by a random number table. We didn’t evaluate the allocation concealment. LPG was administered as a dose of 8 g, three times a day, and SHL, as a dose of 10 ml, three times a day. The treatment duration for both groups was 3 days. All data were analyzed by using stata 7.0 for per-protocol population. Results In the Lianpu granule group, the good improvement rates were 90.00% (18/20) and 85.00% (51/60), and the improvement rates were 95.00% (19/20) and 98.33% (59/60); the good improvement rates for traditional Chinese medicine syndromes were 85.00% (17/20) and 85.00% (51/60), and the improvement rates were 95.00% (19/20) and 98.33% (59/60); the good improvement rates for fever were 85.00% (17/20) and 86.05% (37/43), and the improvement rates were 95.00% (19/20) and 95.35% (41/43) in the phase Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively. Meanwhile for the compound oral liquid of SHL group, the good improvement rates were 85.71% (18/21) and 80.00% (16/20), and the improvement rates were 95.24% (20/21) and 95.00% (19/20); the good improvement rates for traditional Chinese medicine syndromes were 85.71% (18/21) and 80.00% (16/20), and the improvement rates were 95.24% (20/21) and 95.00% (19/20); the good improvement rates for fever were 85.71% (18/21) and 80.00% (12/15), and the improvement rates were 90.48% (19/21) and 93.33% (14/15) in the phase Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively. No significant differences were seen between LPG and SHL groups on treatment duration, clinical effect and improvement rate for fever (all P ＞0.05). No adverse effects were seen in this study. Conclusion LPG has showed a definite clinical effect on common cold (Feng-Re syndrome) with no observed adverse effects.
Objective To assess the effect and safety of Dalitong Granule in the treatment of the Piman syndrome (functional dyspepsia). Method The double-blind, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted. 120 patients were randomized to the treatment group (n=90, Dalitong Granule 6 g, tid) and the control group (n=30, treated with cisapride 5 mg, tid). The therapeutic course for both groups was 2 weeks. Results All the results were analyzed on the basis of intention-to-treat and per-protocol population. In the treatment group, the markedly effective rates were 62.37% and 64.45% respectively. The effective rates were 99.55% and 96-67% respectively. In the control group, the markedly effective rates were 58-08% and 60.00% respectively. The effective rates were 90.33% and 93.33% respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups (Pgt;0.05). For effects on Piman syndrome, in the treatment group, the markedly effective rates were 53.76% and 55.56% respectively. The effective rates were 86.02% and 88.89% respectively. In the control group, the markedly effective rates were 48.38% and 50.00% respectively. The effective rates were 80.64% and 83.33% respectively. The results showed no statistical significance difference between two groups (Pgt;0.05). For effects on gastric emptying function (PP population), in the treatment group, the markedly effective rate and effective rate were 72.42% and 79.32%. In the control group those were 64.28% and 64.28%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). ITT and PP analysis revealed similar results. No adverse effect was found in the observation. Conclusions Dalitong granule has the same clinical effect as cisapride with no obvious toxic-adverse effects.
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Jinlianqingre capsule in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection （external wind-heat syndrome）. Methods A multi center, double-blind, double dummy, randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 226 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection were randomized into two groups：the trial group （116 patients）received Jinlianqingre capsule and the control group （110 patients） received Jinlianqingre granule. The therapeutic courses of both groups were 3 days. Results The total significant effective rates and the total effective rates of acute upper respiratory tract infection were 66.38 % and 95.69% in the trial group respectively, and 60.91% and 95.45% in the control group respectively. There were no statistical differences between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. The total significant effective rates and the total effective rates of Chinese medicine symptoms were 70.69% and 97.41% in the trial group respectively, and 69.09% and 93.64% in the control group respectively. There were no statistical differences between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. Besides, the efficacy of Jinlianqingre capsule was better than that of Jinlianqingre granule with respect to fever duration after treatment; there were statistical differences between the two groups （P〈0. 05 ）. No adverse effects were found in the trial group. Conclusions Jinlianqingre capsule is effective and safe in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infection （external wind-heat syndrome）.
Background To prove the effect of Jinyebaidu Granule (JYBDG) in treating the Disease of Wind-heat Attacking the Lung (type of heat pathogen invading the defensive Qi of the lung) and objectively evaluate its safety. Methods The muti-center,double-blinded, double-dummy and randomized controlled method was adopted to observe 200 patients who were divided into the treatment group (n=100, treated with JYBDG 10 g, three times a day) and the control group (n=100, treated with Shuanghuanglian Granule 5 g, three times a day). The therapeutic course for both groups was 5 days. Results According to ITT (intention-to-treat) and PP (per-protocol population), In the treatment group, the markedly effective rate was 72.64% and 75.00% respectively, and effective rate was 94.00% and 96.00% respectively, while in the control group the markedly effective rate was 68.63% and 68.00% respectively, and effective rate was 90.20% and 90.00% respectively, no significant difference was found between the two groups (Pgt;0.05). For therapeutic effects on TCM syndromes, In the treatment group, the markedly effective rate was 71.70% and 74.00% respectively, and effective rate was 93.45% and 96.00 % respectively, while in the control group the markedly effective rate was 66.67% and 68.00% respectively, and effective rate was 89.22% and 90.00% respectively, also showed insignificantly difference (Pgt;0.05). No adverse effect was found in the observation. Conclusion JYBDG shows a definite clinical effect with no obvious toxic-adverse effects.
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TanReqing Injection in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to observe its effects on the plasma levels of cytokine IL-17, IL- 8 and Leukotriene B4 in such cases. Methods A randomized, single blind controlled trial (RCT) was designed. Sixty hospitalized COPD patients with an acute exacerbation were randomly allocated to the treatment group (20 ml of TanReqing Injection iv gtt q 24 h) or the control group (20 ml of placebo Injection iv gtt q 24 h) based on the Guideline for Dignosis and Management of COPD issued by Chinese Society for Respiratory Disease and the Criteria of Dignosis and Efficacy Measures of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome and Illness enacted by The State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All patients were received standard therapy. Each group contained 30 patients. The therapeutic course of both groups was 12 days. The criterias of TCM syndrome of retention of phlegm-heat in the lung were: cough with rough breath, accumulation of sticky or yellow thick sputum, cough with difficulty in expectoration, or accompanied by fever, thirst with desire of drink, red tougue with yellow fur, slippery and rapid pulse. Results According to the analysis on the basis of intention -to -treat and per-protocol population, it showed that the markedly effective rates were 70.00% and 72.41% respectively, and effective rates were 96.67% and 96.55% in the treatment group respectively. While in the control group the markedly effectiverates were 46.67% and 48.28% respectively, and effective rates were 86.67% and 89.65% respectively. Significantly lower plasma concentration of IL-17 and IL-8 in the treatment group was noted when compared with control group. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusions TanReqing Injection shows a definite clinical effectiveness without obvious toxic-adverse effects in the treatment of patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and its mechnical function may related to the level of the excess expression of plasma cytokine IL-17, IL-8 in such cases.
【摘要】 目的 观察利胆清微丸治疗慢性胆囊炎湿热蕴结兼血瘀证患者的疗效及安全性，进一步为临床研究提供依据。 方法 2001年4—7月，采用双盲、双模拟、随机平行对照临床试验，将40例患者随机分为试验组（20例）及对照组（20例）。试验组服用利胆清微丸3.5 g/次，3次/d，同时服用胆宁片模拟剂；对照组服用胆宁片3片/次，3次/d，同时服用利胆清微丸模拟剂。 结果 试验组痊愈1例，显效12例，有效5例，无效2例，显效率65%，有效率90%；对照组痊愈2例，显效10例，有效7例，无效1例，显效率60%，有效率95%，两组疗效比较差异无统计学意义（Pgt;0.05）。试验过程中未发现明显不良反应。 结论 利胆清微丸对于治疗慢性胆囊炎湿热蕴结兼血瘀证有良好效果，是一种安全有效的药物。【Abstract】 Objective To observe the safety and efficacy of Lidanqing pellet on chronic cholecystitis with damp and hot accumulate knot including blood stasis, and to provide a basis for further clinical trials. Methods A double-blind, double dummy, randomized, and controlled clinic trial was undertaken between April and July 2001. A total of 40 patients were randomly divided into trail group and control group. The trial group was given Lidanqin pellet 3.5 g per time, and three times per day; simultaneously taking Danning tablet simulation agent. The control group was given 3 tablets of Danning tablet per time and three times per day; simultaneously taking taking Lidanqing pellets simulation agent. Results In the trail group, one patient was cured, the therapeutic effect was obvious in 12, basically effective in five and invalid in two (with the rate of obvious effect of 65.00% and rate of basic effect of 90.00%). In the control group, two patients was cured, the therapeutic effect was obvious in 12, basically effective in 10, effective in seven and invalid in one (with the rate of basic effect of 60.00% and the rate of obvious effect of 95.00%). The difference between the two groups was significant (Pgt;0.05). Adverse reaction was not found in the trial group. Conclusion Lidanqing pellet, a safe medication, is effective on chronic cholecystitis with damp and hot accumulate knot including blood stasis.
Objective To assess the quality of reporting of randomized controlled trials(RCTs) on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in China from 1999 to 2004 by CONSORT statement and Jadad scale. Methods We randomly selected 13 journals of TCM including Chinese Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine,ect using stratified sampling from about 100 journals of TCM in mainland China, and all issues of selected journals published from 1999 to 2004 were hand-searched according to the hand-search guideline developed by Cochrane Collaboration. All reviewers were trained in the method of evaluating RCTs . A comprehensive quality assessment of each RCT was completed using methods including the revised consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) checklist and Jadad scale. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results A total of 7422 RCTs were identified, and the percentage of RCTs was significantly increased by 18.6%, 23.9%, 27.5%, 28.8%, 33.0% and 35.6% from 1999 to 2004. The mean Jadad score was 1.03 ± 0.61 in all trials with 1 RCT with 5 points, 14 with 4 points, and 102 with 3 points, from 1999 to 2004, the mean Jadad score was 0.85±0.53 (n=746), 0.82±0.63 (n=941), 0.90±0.61 (n=1 243), 1.03±0.60 (n=1 325), 1.12±0.58 (n=1 533) and 1.20±0.62 (n=1 634) respectively, which was improved continuously but slowly. 39.4% of the items in CONSORT, which was equivalent to 11.82 (standard deviation=5.78) of a total of 30 items, were reported across those trials. Some important methodological components of RCTs such as sample size calculation (1.1%), randomization sequence (7.9%), allocation concealment (0.3%), implementation of the random allocation sequence (0.0%) , analysis of intention to treat (0.0%), were incompletely reported. Conclusion Our study suggests that the quality of reporting has been improved but still in poor status, which would urgently promote the establishment of the CONSORT for TCM.
Objective To assess the quality of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) published in Chinese journals. Methods We searched CNKI, CMB from January 1995 to December 2006 and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2006) for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on TCM. We extracted details of the interventions used in the treatment and control groups, analyzed the validity of included studies and investigated whether the reports used QUOROM statement or not. Results We identified 111 reports, of which 1 on prevention, 1 on adverse events, 1 on risk factors and premonitory symptoms, 2 on physiochemical parameters, and 106 on effectiveness and safety assessment. In total, 42 types of diseases were involved, and 41 reports were related to cerebrovascular diseases. As for the investigated interventions, 25 studies assessed TCM and 12 assessed acupuncture. Two had no control intervention design control in the group, 15 did not describe the interventions in the control group, 50 used active control (26 for western medicine, 12 for Chinese medicine, 12 for western plus Chinese medicine), 14 used blank control, 17 used baseline control, 4 used sham acupuncture or acupoint injection control etc., 5 used placebo control and 4 used "mutual control". The interventions used in the treatment and control groups varied widely. The number of trials included in the reviews and meta-analyses ranged from 1 to 35, and 24 studies included non-randomized controlled trials. Of the 111 reports, 14 were Cochrane reviews, 16 did not assess the quality of included randomized trials and a further 22 performed only simple and nonstandard quality assessment of the included trials. None of the reviews or meta-analyses used the QUOROM statement to report their results. Conclusions Because of the unique characteristics of TCM, systematic reviews of TCM should focus on a specific topic, avoid the selection of too many drugs, address the target indications of the test drugs and pay attention on intervention evaluation. High quality systematic reviews of TCM are needed but they will only be produced through the concerted efforts of clinicians, TCM practitioners and methodologists.