Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of treating diabetic nephropathy(DN) with traditional Chinese patent medicine.

Methods

By means of retrieving the Chinese Biological Medicine (CBM) database, China National Kmowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, VIP Chinese Technical Periodicals database, Wanfang database, and PubMed database, with a retrieval period from June 2003 to June 2013,randomized controlled trials (RCTs) theses meeting the requirements were enrolled. The selected RCTs were assessed in methodological quality, data extraction, and in data analysis, referring to Cochrane system requirements. Literatures scoring 3-7 points were selected and underwent meta-analysis with Rev. Man 5.0.23 software. The study results were expressed by the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The literature publication bias was identified with funnel plot analysis.

Results

Four control literatures on clinical efficacy of Chinese patent medicine and western medicine were homogeneous (P=0.14 >0.10, I² =45%). Results of meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model indicated that traditional Chinese patent medicine showed better effects than western medicine in treating early DN,which were statistically significant (RR=1.28,95% CI 1.17-1.41, Z=5.31; P<0.05).

Conclusion

The traditional Chinese patent medicine may be as a safe and effective method of treating early diabetic nephropathy through alleviating symptoms, reducing proteinuria, and improving renal function, but with no serious adverse reactions.

Key words: Diabetic nephropathy, Traditional Chinese patent medicine, Meta-analysis