Background: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of subacute thyroiditis (SAT).
Methods: Chinese databases were searched using a combination of "patent Chinese medicine", "traditional Chinese medicine", "traditional Chinese and western medicine", "sub-thyroiditis", and "subacute thyroiditis". Studies that set Chinese patent medicine treatment of SAT as the experimental group were selected. Then, meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3.
Results: A total of 12 studies were included, and most of them had a high risk of bias (low quality). The heterogeneity test results of clinical efficacy showed that Chi2=6.21, df=7, P=0.52>0.1, and I2=0%<50%. Then, the fixed effects model (FEM) was used, with OR =2.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.89-4.13. The heterogeneity test of recurrence rate showed that Chi2=10.69, df=9, P=0.30>0.1, and I2=16%<50%. The heterogeneity test of erythrocyte sedimentation rate showed that I2=97%, P<0.00001, MD =-10.02; 95% CI: -12.88 to -7.16, and P<0.00001. The heterogeneity test of free triiodothyronine showed that Chi2=500.75, I2=99%>50%, P<0.00001, MD =-2.88; 95% CI: -3.85 to -1.91; Z=5.83, and P<0.00001. The heterogeneity test of free thyroid hormone showed that Chi2=25.15, I2=72%>50%, P=0.0007, MD =-2.48; 95% CI: -3.69 to -1.26; Z=3.99, and P<0.0001. The heterogeneity test of the occurrence of adverse reactions showed that Chi2=11.28, df=11, P=0.42>0.1, and I2=3%<50%, and the combined effect size was Z=6.49 and P<0.00001, with OR =0.21; 95% CI: 0.13-0.34.
Discussion: The meta-analysis of this study confirms that Chinese patent medicines have considerable clinical effects in the treatment of SAT. They can reduce the recurrence rate, adjust the levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroid hormone, and have good safety.
Keywords: Chinese patent medicine; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trial; safety; subacute thyroiditis (SAT).