Effect of yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease measured by St. George's respiratory disease questionnaire scores and forced expiratory volume.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by observing its influences on patients' quality of life and airway inflammation.

METHODS: Seventy patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 35) treated with Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction plus Seretide and a control group (n = 35) treated with Seretide only. The dosage of Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction was 100 mL each time, twice a day, and the dosage of Seretide was salmeterol 50 microg/fluticasone 250 microg twice a day. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, St George's respiratory disease questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, forced expiratory volume, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/ FVC) were measured.

RESULTS: The SGRQ scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, the total SGRQ scores and each subscore in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of the predicted FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were higher in both groups, but no statistical differences were detected from before to after the treatment or between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction could significantly decrease the SGRQ scores in patients with stable COPD, which suggests that it is able to improve patient symptoms.