Clinical research report on traditional Chinese patent medicines and traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions (2022)

Abstract

Objective: To comprehensively summarize and analyze the basic situation and methodological quality of clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese and English traditional Chinese patent medicines and traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions published in 2022, to provide evidence and reasonable suggestions for the advancement of clinical research and the formulation of policies and guidelines. Methods: The Evidence Database System of clinical evidence-based evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine was searched, and data from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, and other databases were supplemented. The search duration was from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. RCTs of traditional Chinese patent medicines and traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions were included as the source of clinical evidence, and published information, sample size, intervention, control measures, treatment course, methodological quality and key link report were analyzed and evaluated. Results: A total of 1,464 RCTs of traditional Chinese patent medicines were included, which included 667 types of traditional Chinese patent medicines; "traditional Chinese patent medicines+Western medicine vs. Western medicine" was the most widely used intervention and control setting, involving 417 RCTs(28.48%). A total of 245 RCTs of traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions were included, including 55 types of traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions. "Decoction+ conventional treatment vs. conventional treatment" was the most widely used intervention and control setting, with 87 RCTs (35.51%). Published RCTs on traditional Chinese patent medicines and traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions were limited by the study design and implementation. Most “allocation concealment” and “blinding of patients and personnel” were rated as medium to high risk,There are insufficient reports on key research links such as experimental registration and ethical approval. Conclusion: The number of RCTs on traditional Chinese patent medicines has decreased in 2022, but there has been a slight improvement in the research quality and impact. There are relatively few studies on traditional Chinese classic famous prescriptions. Measures must be taken to improve clinical trial design, implementation, and reporting. Methodological experts should be invited to provide professional technical guidance on the trial design. In the research implementation process, attention should be paid to quality control, particularly the standardization of the randomized execution.