Effects of Chinese Medicine on the Survival of AIDS Patients Administered Second-Line ART in Rural Areas of China: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Real-World Data

Abstract

Objectives. Chinese medicine (CM) improves the symptoms of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and prolongs their survival. This real-world study aimed to evaluate the effects of CM on the survival of AIDS patients administered second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the medical records of patients with AIDS who switched to second-line ART between January 2009 and December 2014. Patients were divided into ART and CM + ART groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to correct for biases between groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to compare survival rates, and Cox regression models were employed to identify factors significantly associated with survival. Results. The study population (n = 4180) was comprised of the CM + ART group (n = 855) and the ART group (n = 3325). After 1 : 2 PSM, 855 patients in the CM + ART group and 1699 in the ART group were selected for analysis. Patients in the CM + ART group were followed for 4246.8 person-years, and the mortality rate was 2.12/100 person-years. Patients in the ART group were followed for 8381.2 person-years, and the mortality rate was 2.91/100 person-years. Cox regression model analysis revealed that patients in the CM + ART group survived significantly longer than those in the ART group (hazard ratio: 0.73 and 95% confidence interval: 0.57–0.93). Gender, age, symptoms, CD4 cell counts, and viral loads were independently associated with the survival of AIDS patients treated with second-line ART. Conclusions. CM significantly improved the survival rate of AIDS patients treated with second-line ART.

Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of sepsis and related multi-organ injury

“…Except for the direct inhibition of tumor, immunity-enhancing capacity plays a vital role in the anticancer activity of TCM herbs ( Wang S et al, 2020 ; Wang Y et al, 2020 ) For example, shenqi fuzheng injection, mainly consist of ginsen and astragalus, could promote NK and T helper cells proliferation and function, therefore enhancing the effects of chemotherapy drugs and decreasing adverse events in cancers ( Dong et al, 2010 ; Li et al, 2015b ; Yang Y et al, 2017 ). Results of randomized clinical trials and real-world data reveals that integrating Fuzheng TCM herbs and anti-retroviral therapy promotes long-term reconstitution of the immune system and significantly improved the survival periods of AIDS patients ( Zou et al, 2016 ; Tao et al, 2021 ; Jin et al, 2022 ).…”