ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety of allopurinol versus (vs.) TCM prescription for gout in the treatment of gout, and to provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment of gout. METHODS: Retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Medline, The Cochrane library, Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CJFD), China Scientific Journal Database (CSJD) and Wanfang database, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about therapeutic efficacy (total response rate, level of uric acid) and safety (the occurrence of ADR) of TCM prescription for gout alone or combined with allopuinol (trial group) vs. allopurinol (control group) in the treatment of gout were collected. After data extraction of clinical studies meeting inclusion criteria, Cochrane system evaluator manual 5. 1. 0 was used to evaluate the quality of included studies, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using Rev Man 5. 3 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 20 RCTs were included, involving 1 961 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed that total response rate of trial group was significantly higher than that of control group [OR=2. 29, 95％ CI(1. 84, 2. 84), P<0. 001], uric acid level was significantly lower control group [MD= -27. 99,95％ CI(-33. 04, -22. 93),P<0. 001],with statistical significance. The incidence of ADR in trial group was significantly lower than control group, with statistical significance (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic efficacy and safety of TCM prescription are better than those of allopuinol for gout.