Effect of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease measured by St. George's respiratory disease questionnaire scores and forced expiratory volume

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by observing its influences on patients' quality of life and airway inflammation. METHODS: Seventy patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=35) treated with Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction plus Seretide and a control group (n=35) treated with Seretide only. The dosage of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction was 100 mL each time, twice a day, and the dosage of Seretide was salmeterol 50 mu g/fluticasone 250 mu g twice a day. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, St George's respiratory disease questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, forced expiratory volume, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were measured. RESULTS: The SGRQ scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total SGRQ scores and each subscore in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of the predicted FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were higher in both groups, but no statistical differences were detected from before to after the treatment or between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction could significantly decrease the SGRQ scores in patients with stable COPD, which suggests that it is able to improve patient symptoms. (C) 2014 JTCM. All rights reserved.