Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine on sepsis: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for treatment of sepsis in China, but results still remain equivocal. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCM for sepsis, we conducted this Meta-analysis. METHODS: Databases searched included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (up to December 2014). The studies included used routine therapy treating sepsis in the control group and TCM was added on that basis in the experimental group. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane criteria for risk of bias. RESULTS: Ten RCTs with 691 participants were identified and analyzed. In the meta-analysis, TCM plus routine therapy reduced the 28-day mortality compared to routine therapy alone, [RR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.51~0.87; P = 0.002]; The decrease in length of ICU-stay [MD = -1.82; 95% CI -2.60~-1.04; P<0.00001]; Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation system (APACHE II) score [MD = -2.95; 95% CI -3.99~-1.91; P<0.00001]; Serum inflammatory factors concentration after treatment [SMD = -0.50; 95% CI-0.68~-0.33; P<0.00001], including TNF-α [SMD = -0.61; 95% CI -0.85~-0.38; P<0.00001] and IL-6 [SMD = -0.40; 95% CI -0.75~-0.04; P = 0.03] in subgroup analysis all had statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Addition of TCM has better effects in participants with sepsis, while more high-quality studies are needed to draw firm conclusion.