title: Effect of yiqibushenhuoxue decoction on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease measured by St. George's respiratory disease questionnaire scores and forced expiratory volume.
abstract: 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yiqibushenhuoxue decoction could significantly decrease the SGRQ scores in patients with stable COPD, which suggests that it is able to improve patient symptoms.
authors.forename: Jianqiu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fengli
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Zhuying
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal