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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2009; 15(37): 4715-4719
Published online Oct 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.4715
A systematic review of treating Helicobacter pylori infection with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jiang Lin, Wei-Wen Huang
Jiang Lin, Wei-Wen Huang, Department of Gastroenterology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200021, China
Author contributions: Lin J designed the protocol of the systematic review; Huang WW carried out trials searching; Lin J and Huang WW collected and assessed the trials; Lin J performed data analysis, statistics and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Jiang Lin, MD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Chief Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200021, China. lin_jiang@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-21-53821650 Fax: +86-21-53823600
Received: June 15, 2009
Revised: August 18, 2009
Accepted: August 25, 2009
Published online: October 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection.

METHODS: We electronically and manually searched electronic databases, references lists and conferences compilations, and included all randomized clinical trials comparing the treatment of H pylori using TCM with proton pump inhibitor or colloidal bismuth subcitrate-based triple therapy as controls. The Jadad score was used to assess trial quality, H pylori eradication rate and the incidence of side effects were taken as outcome measurements, and heterogeneity analysis, meta-analysis and funnel plot analysis were conducted.

RESULTS: Sixteen trials were included. The Jadad scores of all the trials were not more than 2. Clinical heterogeneity and substantial statistical heterogeneity existed among the trials (P = 0.001, I2 = 59%) and meta-analysis was not conducted. The average eradication rates following TCM and triple therapy were 72% and 78% and the incidence of side effects were 2% and 29%, respectively. The funnel plot was obviously asymmetric.

CONCLUSION: Available evidence is not convincing enough to show that TCM has the same efficacy as triple therapy in H pylori treatment. TCM may be safer than triple therapy. TCM should not be recommended as monotherapy in H pylori infection.

Keywords: Drug toxicity; Helicobacter pylori; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Treatment efficacy