Pingxiao capsule combined Longxuejie capsule in the treatment of nodular goiter

Abstract

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of Pingxiao capsule combined Longxuejie capsule in the treatment of nodular goiter. Methods A total of 100 patients with nodular goiter from Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 50 patients in each group. In addition to low iodine diet, the treatment group was treated with Pingxiao capsule (1.15 g, thrice daily) plus Longxuejie capsule (1.2 g, thrice daily), while the control group was treated with levothyroxine sodium tablets (5 g, once daily), both for 3 months. The max diameter of thyroid nodule and the thyroid function were detected before and after the treatment. Results One patient in the treatment group and 3 patients in the control group were lost to follow-up. The max diameter of thyroid nodule were significantly decreased compared with before the treatment in the treatment group (1.49 ± 0.69 cm vs. 2.14 ± 0.87 cm; t=4.113, P=0.000) and not in the control group (1.94 ± 1.15 cm vs. 2.21 ± 1.03 cm; t=1.220, P=0.226). The free thyroxine levels were significantly increased compared with before the treatment both in the treatment group (0.83 ± 0.11 ng/dl vs. 0.77 ± 0.15 ng/dl; t=2.266, P=0.026) and in the control group (0.78 ± 0.16 ng/dl vs. 0.64 ± 0.23 ng/dl; t=3.459, P=0.001), and greater in the control group (P<0.01). The thyroid stimulating hormone level was significantly decreased compared with before the treatment in the in the control group (1.44 ± 1.59 U/ml vs. 2.28 ± 0.92 U/ml; t=3.208, P=0.002) and not in treatment group (1.98 ± 1.09 U/ml vs. 2.31 ± 0.87 U/ml; t=1.667, P=0.099). There were significant difference in free triiodothyronine levels between before and after the treatment both in the treatment group (3.31 ± 0.29 pg/ml vs. 3.27 ± 0.31 pg/ml; t=0.663, P=0.509) and in the control group (3.39 ± 0.13 pg/ml vs. 3.44 ± 0.16 pg/ml; t=1.694, P=0.094). The total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (83.7% vs. 63.8%; χ2=3.929, P=0.048). Conclusion Pingxiao capsule combined Longxuejie capsule can reduce the size of thyroid nodules in patients with nodular goiter. Key words: Goiter, Nodular; Pingxiao capsule; Longxuejie capsules