Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Bufei Granule on Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Existing Evidence

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Bufei granule on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We retrieved data from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CNKI, Wanfang, and WeiPu (VIP) for studies focusing on whether the TCM Bufei granule would be effective in treating stable COPD. No language restriction and blinding were used. All trials involved were examined based on the standards of the Cochrane Handbook, and Review Manager 5.3 software was applied for analyzing data. We included four studies involving 599 patients with stable COPD. When compared to placebo treatment, TCM Bufei granule intervention exhibited improvement in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.70; range, 0.50-0.91; I ² = 0%), forced vital capacity (FVC) (SMD = 0.43; range, 0.23-0.62; I ² = 0%), FEV₁ percentage of predicted value (FEV1%) (SMD = 0.57; range, 0.38-0.76; I ² = 4%), and FEV₁/FVC (SMD = 0.69; range, 0.50-0.87; I ² = 0%). There was a statistically significant difference in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores between the TCM Bufei granule and placebo treatments (SMD = -1.29; range, -2.32 to -0.26, I ² = 97%). None of the studies reported any adverse events. Therefore, TCM Bufei granule intervention could help in improving the lung function and quality of life in patients with stable COPD.