Investigating the effects of Qingre Lifei decoction combined with terbutaline in treating male patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Qingre Lifei decoction combined with terbutaline in men suffering from acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 100 male patients with COPD acute exacerbation admitted to our hospital between May 2020 and May 2023, were enrolled and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group (n = 50 each) based on a computergenerated randomization table. As a control treatment, a terbutaline nebulizer solution was inhaled alongside with conventional Western medicine. The experimental group additionally received Qingre Lifei Decoction. A comparison was made between the therapeutic effects of the two treatment methods. The experimental group exhibited a significantly higher overall effective rate than the control group (p < 0.05). One month after treatment, the experimental group showed significantly higher forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratios than the control group (p < 0.05). C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC), and neutrophils (N) in the experimental group were significantly lower than the control group one month after treatment (p < 0.05). Compared to controls, the arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2 ) and oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) levels in the experimental group were significantly higher, and the carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO 2 ) levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Adverse drug reactions incidence did not differ between both groups (p > 0.05). In men with acute exacerbations of COPD, Qingre Lifei decoction combined with terbutaline nebulization can be effective in improving breathing symptoms and functional ventilation. It is safe and worthy of wider clinical promotion.