The Efficacy and Safety of Shashen-Maidong Decoction Combined with Western Medicine in the Treatment of Omicron Infected Individuals Over 85 Years Old: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background

During the Omicron variant outbreak of COVID-19 (2022–2023), Chinese healthcare institutions combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with Western medical practices to treat COVID-19 patients, especially the elderly. The efficacy and safety of this approach, especially for individuals aged over 85, need further investigation.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a cohort of 62 patients aged over 85 years, diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, was examined. Among them, 34 patients were administered Shashen-Maidong decoction in conjunction with Western medicine (SMD+WM group), while the remaining 28 patients received only Western medicine (WM group). Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups, encompassing parameters such as the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mortality rate, utilization of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HFNC), occurrence of endo-tracheal intubation, frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months, and various laboratory indicators.

Results

There were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of the duration for the nucleic acid test to turn negative, the length of ICU stay, mortality rate, utilization of HFNC, performance of endo-tracheal intubation, or the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections within three months (P > 0.05). However, in comparison to the WM group, the SMD+WM group exhibited notably lower growth rates in white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEUT) values. Additionally, the SMD+WM group demonstrated superior improvement in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) values.

Conclusion

In contrast to the administration of Western medicine alone, the combined use of Shashen-Maidong decoction with Western medicine significantly suppresses the increase in WBC count, particularly in NEUT levels, in elderly patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Moreover, this combined treatment exhibits a protective effect on cardiac function and demonstrates a relatively safe profile.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• traditional Chinese medicine
• Shashen-Maidong decoction

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author (Wei-Shang Hu).

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by Ethics Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (No. QT2023176). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Acknowledgments

We are particularly grateful to all the people who have given us help on our article.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests for this work.

Additional information

Funding

No external funding received to conduct this study.