Analysis of Programs and Guidelines on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 to Provide Suggestions for Future Development of TCM Clinical Practice Guidelines / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To comprehensively analyze the diagnosis and treatment programs and prevention and treatment programs on tratidional Chinese medicine (TCM) for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and to provide suggestions for further development of TCM clinical guidelines. Method:Diagnosis and treatment programs on TCM for COVID-19 pneumonia, as well as prevention and treatment programs, clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus, were retrieved till Feb 19, 2020. The information about TCM syndrome differentiation, state of disease, and TCM treatments (decoction and Chinese patent medicines) were extracted and analyzed. Result:A total of 24 TCM programs/guidelines were included containing 23 diagnosis and treatment programs or prevention and treatment programs and one rapid advice guideline. Of the 23 TCM programs, 14 programs described the classification of TCM syndromes and the stages of disease，22 programs described the composition of the TCM decoction; seven programs described how to add and subtract the herbs according to different TCM syndromes,17 programs described the weight/volume of the herbs of TCM decoctions, three programs described the decoction method，six programs described the usage and dosage of TCM decoction， two programs clarified the course of treatment; none of the 23 programs indicated the source of evidence. The TCM treatment within the rapid advice guideline was in reference to the fourth edition of the COVID-19 pneumonia TCM diagnosis and treatment program issued by the National Health Commission. A total of 41 Chinese patent medicines were recommended in 23 programs, of which 12 Chinese patent medicines were off-label recommended. Conclusion:In most TCM programs, TCM decoction and Chinese patent medicines are recommended based on TCM syndrome differentiation in combination with the state of disease, and the dosage of the TCM decoctions are clearly described. Some Chinese patent medicines in the TCM programs are off-label recommended. Expert experience and opinions are valued when developing TCM programs/ guidelines. All of these provide reference for developing TCM programs/guidelines in future.