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ABSTRACT
The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk bias assessment tool and the results were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software. The evidence was also evaluated for its strength using GRADE. A total of 18 randomized controlled trials were included in the study, involving 1247 patients. The primary outcomes of this study included overall efficacy, effectiveness in treating specific symptoms, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom score. The secondary outcomes included the levels of FT3, FT4, and TSH, the size of the thyroid gland, and any adverse events. The results of the meta-analysis showed that CHM combined with WM has a better curative effect and a more effective reduction in clinical symptoms than WM alone: comprehensive efficacy [OR = 4.83; 95% CI (3.45, 6.76)], syndrome efficacy [OR = 5.95; 95% CI (3.94, 8.99)], TCM symptom score SMD = −1.49; 95% CI (−1.86, −1.11)], FT3 [SMD = 0.59; 95% CI (0.48, 0.71)], FT4 [SMD = 0.59; 95% CI (0.48, 0.71)], TSH SMD = −0.97; 95% CI (−1.35, −0.58)], and thyroid volume SMD = −0.25; 95% CI (−0.34, 0.15)]. The incidence of adverse events between the groups was not significantly different [OR = 1.00; 95% CI (0.14, 7.27)]. Because of the effectiveness of CHM, we support using CHM to improve clinical efficacy in the treatment of HTH. The results of our research suggest that the use of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) in combination with Western Medicine (WM) may result in improved clinical efficacy in the treatment of hypothyroidism (HTH) compared to using WM alone.
Abbreviation
| TCM | = | Traditional Chinese medicine |
| HTH | = | Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with hypothyroidism |
| CHM | = | Chinese herbal medicine |
| CM | = | Chinese medicine |
| CNKI | = | Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure |
| CBM | = | Chinese Biomedical Database |
| VIP | = | Chinese Scientific and Technological Periodical Database |
| Wanfang | = | Wanfang Data |
| RCTs | = | randomized controlled trials |
| WM | = | western medicine |
| HT | = | Hashimoto’s thyroiditis |
| TPOAb | = | thyroid peroxidase autoantibody |
| TGAb | = | thyroglobulin autoantibody |
| AITD | = | autoimmune thyroid disorders |
Authors’ contributions
Tao Yun-Xia designs research plan, data statistical analysis and paper writing; Li Chong-Chai and Li Qing Literature screening, data collection and analysis; Huo Jing-Jing Supervised and revised thesis. All authors approved the final version of the paper.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Data sharing agreement
The data used to support the results of this study is included in the article.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Yun-Xia Tao
Yun-Xia Tao is a master's student at Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She graduated from Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine with a major in TCM Internal Medicine, and her interest is in the use of TCM or traditional TCM therapies (acupuncture, moxibustion, etc.) to treat endocrine diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disease.
Qing Li
Qing Li is a medical staff member of Shanghai Pujin Community Health Service Center, and has been engaged in general medicine for more than 30 years. Her research interests are in the treatment of common diseases in primary care and health care with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Chong-Chai Li
Chong-Chai Li is a doctoral student at Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She graduated from Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a major in internal medicine of traditional Chinese medicine. Her research interests are in the treatment of coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmia and other cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.
Jing-Jing Huo
Jing-Jing Huo is a doctoral student and graduate supervisor of Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine, and her work unit is the Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine. She has been engaged in the research of Chinese medicine for the treatment of thyroid diseases, diabetes and their complications and other endocrine diseases. Her major is internal medicine of traditional Chinese medicine.