Efficacy of TCM Bufei Yishen method for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presenting lung-kidney deficiency

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of TCM Bufei Yishen method combined with conventional western medicine for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presenting lung-kidney deficiency. Methods Sixty six COPD patients with lung-kidney deficiency admitted from January 2014 to December 2015 were randomly divided into Bufei Yishen (BY) group (n=34) and control group (n=32). Patients in control group treated with conventional western medicine and those in BY group were treated with TCM Bufei Yishen recipe combined with conventional western medicine. The pulmonary function and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score were evaluated before and after treatment, and after 3 month-following up. Results In BY group the pulmonary function parameters FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (69.91±8.15 vs. 51.56 ± 8.33, t=4.435, P< 0.01; 57.33 ± 9.86 vs. 49.89 ± 8.89, t=3.526, P<0.05, respectively); the FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after 3-momth follow up were significantly higher than those before treatment (65.68±9.54 vs. 51.56±8.33, t=3.993, P<0.05; 59.08±8.49 vs. 49.89±8.89, t=3.668, P<0.05, respectively). In control group the FEV1 and FEV1/FVC after 3-momth follow up were significantly higher than those before treatment (63.94±8.76 vs. 50.98±8.08, t=4.475, P<0.05; 59.12±9.55 vs. 50.35±9.06, t=3.614, P<0.05, respectively). The pulmonary function parameters FEV1 of BY group was significantly better than that of control group (69.91±8.15 vs. 62.02±8.91, t=3.745, P<0.05) after 3-months of follow-up. After treatment, the CAT score in both group was decreased (BY group: 27.35±2.93 vs. 30.36±3.19, t=3.548, P<0.05; control group: 29.06±2.67 vs. 30.51±2.99, t=1.832, P<0.05); however, the CAT score was decreased more markedly in BY group than that in control group (t=2.658, P<0.05). Conclusion TCM Bufei Yishen method combined with conventional western medicine can improve the pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with stable COPD presenting lung-kidney deficiency. Key words: Pulmonary disease, Chronic obstructive; Respiratory function tests; Quality of life