Efficacy of Chinese patent medicine for primary osteoporosis: A network meta-analysis
Jinlong Zhao1, Lingfeng Zeng1, Ming Wu1
1The Second School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China; The Research Team on Bone and Joint Degeneration and Injury, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Background And Purpose:
Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) have gained increasing attention for the treatment of primary osteoporosis (POP), but there is a lack of high-quality evidence regarding their efficacy. We conducted a network meta-analysis that considered both direct and indirect comparisons to assess and rank the efficacy and safety of CPMs for POP.
Methods:
Seven electronic databases were searched from their inception to May 2020. A random effects model was applied within a frequentist framework.
Results:
Thirty-eight studies with 16 kinds of medicines (13 CPMs, 3 Western medicines) and 3,941 patients were included in this study. This study showed that Jintiange capsule was the most efficacious for increasing the L2-L4 average bone mineral density (BMD) and that Zuogui Wan was the most efficacious for increasing the femoral neck BMD. Compared with calcium, Gusongjiangu Wan (RR = 10.04, 95% CI 1.36-74.32, p = 0.008), Gushukang granules (RR = 12.63, 95% CI 2.02-78.99, p = 0.015) and Xianling Gubao capsule (RR = 6.06, 95% CI 1.38-26.65, p = 0.0003) had fewer adverse reactions.
Conclusion:
In the treatment of POP, Jintiange capsule and Zuogui Wan are effective CPMs for improving the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively.
