Conventional and Kampo Medicine Treatment for Mild-to-moderate COVID-19: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Observational Study by the Integrative Management in Japan for Epidemic Disease (IMJEDI Study-observation)

Abstract

Objective Patients in whom coronavirus disease 2019 was suspected or confirmed between January 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021, were enrolled from Japanese hospitals in this multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Methods Data on the treatment administered (including conventional and Kampo medicine) and changes in common cold-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, sputum, dyspnea, fatigue, and diarrhea) were collected from their medical records. The primary outcome was the number of days without a fever (with a body temperature <37 °C). The secondary outcomes were symptomatic relief and the worsening of illness, defined as the presence of a condition requiring oxygen inhalation. The outcomes of patients treated with and without Kampo medicine were compared. Patients We enrolled 962 patients, among whom 528 received conventional and Kampo treatment (Kampo group) and 434 received conventional treatment (non-Kampo group). Results Overall, after adjusting for the staging of COVID-19 and risk factors, there were no significant between-group differences in the symptoms or number of days being afebrile. After performing propensity score matching and restricting the included cases to those with confirmed COVID-19 who did not receive steroid administration and initiated treatment within 4 days from the onset, the risk of illness worsening was significantly lower in the Kampo group than in the non-Kampo group (odds ratio= 0.113, 95% confidence interval: 0.014-0.928, p=0.0424). Conclusion Early Kampo treatment may suppress illness worsening risk in COVID-19 cases without steroid use. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical benefit of Kampo medicine for COVID-19.

Multicenter, randomized controlled trial of traditional Japanese medicine, kakkonto with shosaikotokakikyosekko, for mild and moderate coronavirus disease patients

“…A case series of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients treated with KT and SSKKS has already been reported ( Irie et al, 2021a ; 2021b ). We have reported that early Kampo medicine treatment including KT and SSKKS may suppress illness worsening risk in COVID-19 cases without steroid use in a multicenter, retrospective, observational study ( Takayama et al, 2022 ). The present study was conducted based on these results.…”

“…Thus, the combined use of KT and SSKKS can alleviate symptoms of the common cold, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, with multifunctional antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects ( Arita et al, 2020 ). In a multicenter, retrospective, observational study showed that early treatment with Kampo medicines including KT and SSKKS may suppress illness worsening risk in COVID-19 cases without steroid use ( Takayama et al, 2022 ).…”

Response to Glucocorticoid Therapy in Patients with Mild to Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 at a Japanese Care Facility

“…Clinical trials have been conducted for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 using RNA polymerase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, antiparasitic drugs, and kampo medicines in Japan (Takayama et al 2021;Clinical Practice Guidance Review Committee 2021c). The results from these trials are awaited.…”

Kampo medicine for COVID‐19 prevention, treatment, and recovery in clinical and pharmacological aspect

“…We reviewed clinical studies into the acute stage of COVID-19. Confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients were enrolled [4]. Treatments including conventional and Kampo medicine, as well as changes in symptoms were collected from their medical records.…”

“…The study is ongoing in collaboration with JSOM and nine medical institutions. Takao Namiki 2 Toshiaki Makino 3 Ryutaro Arita 1 Hiroshi Odaguchi 4 Takashi Ito 5…”