ObjectiveTo systematically search and sort out the clinical research literature on the treatment of AIDS by traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations by using the evidence map method, and to understand the distribution of evidence in this field. MethodsThe CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were electronically searched to collect studies on the treatment of AIDS with traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations from inception to August 2022. The distribution characteristics of evidence were analyzed and presented in the form of charts and words. ResultsA total of 337 articles were included, involving 268 intervention studies, 66 observational studies and 4 systematic reviews/meta-analysis. A total of 92 kinds of traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations were obtained, and the literature quantity of different preparations was obviously stratified, with Kangaibaosheng preparation being the most frequently reported. In recent years, the number of published literature has been declining, the quality of literature is generally low, and the level of evidence is not high. As for the intervention duration, this field tends to have a longer intervention observation period. As for the outcome indicators, the evaluation criteria of some indicators are not uniform, and the characteristics of TCM advantages are not reflected. The quantity and quality of systematic reviews/meta-analyses were insufficient. No normative consensus or guidelines for the treatment of AIDS with traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations had been formed. Conclusionstudies on the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations in treating AIDS has initially formed a certain scale of evidence group. In the future, it is necessary to further improve the quality of studies, explore outcome indicators that can reflect the advantages of TCM efficacy, and formulate relevant guidelines in a standardized manner.
Objective To evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of clinical guidelines and consensus for adult AIDS. Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI were electronically searched and major guideline websites such as GIN, NICE, NGC and Yimaitong were also searched to collect guidelines and consensus for adult AIDS from inception to December 2021. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four reviewers evaluated the methodological and reporting quality of the included guidelines and consensus by using AGREE Ⅱ and RIGHT, respectively. Results A total of 17 adult AIDS guidelines and consensus were included. The average scores of AGREE Ⅱ in various domains were 59.48% for scope and purpose, 37.17% for stakeholder involvement, 30.76% for rigor of development, 74.75% for clarity of presentation, 35.54% for applicability, and 50.49% for editorial independence. The items with the highest reporting rate among the RIGHT evaluation items were 1a, 1b and 1c (100.00%), followed by 3 and 4 (94.12%), 13a and 13b (88.24%), 7b and 11a (76.47%), and 5 (64.71%), and the remaining items were all reported below 60%. Results of subgroup analysis showed that the clarity of presentation, applicability and editorial independence of the guidelines for adult AIDS expressed in AGREE Ⅱ and the average score of RIGHT were higher than those of the consensuses for adult AIDS; the average scores of guidelines and consensuses based on evidence-based medicine in five domains of AGREE Ⅱ (scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity of presentation and applicability) and RIGHT were higher than those based on expert opinions or reviews. The foreign guidelines and consensus had higher average scores in the six domains of AGREE Ⅱ and the RIGHT score than the domestic guidelines. Conclusion The methodological quality and reporting quality of the published clinical guidelines and consensuses for adult AIDS is low; in particular, there is a certain gap between the national and international guidelines and consensuses. It is suggested that future guideline developers should refer to international standards, such as AGREE Ⅱ and RIGHT, formulate high-quality guidelines and promote their application to better regulate the diagnosis and treatment of adult AIDS.