Traditional Chinese medicine may reduce the dosage of systemic glucocorticoids in required patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) involves a severe inflammatory response. Systemic glucocorticoids are very important for the treatment of the acute exacerbation period; however, their use causes serious adverse effects. There is still no evidence on whether traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be used to reduce the dosage of systemic glucocorticoids in the treatment of patients with AECOPD.

Methods

In this trial, we plan to enroll 204 eligible patients with AECOPD who will be randomly assigned to receive TCM or a placebo. The effect of TCM in the treatment of patients with AECOPD will be measured by the dosage of systemic glucocorticoids (at which COPD assessment test [CAT] scores improve by 50%). Safety will also be assess

SUBMITTER: Zhao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7440062 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature