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Dang shen [Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf] herbal formulae for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Shergis, JL, Liu, S, Chen, X, Zhang, AL, Guo, X, Lu, C, Xue, CC
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2015;(2):167-86
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of Dang shen [Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., root] formulae for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). English and Chinese databases were searched, and 48 randomized controlled trials were included. Dang shen formulae improved lung function forced expiratory volume in 1 s compared with conventional pharmacotherapy (CP) [mean difference (MD) 0.22 L, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.31, p < 0.001, I(2) = 5%] and quality of life (St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire) compared with placebo (MD -7.19, 95% CI -10.82 to -3.56, p < 0.001, I(2) = 0%) and when combined with CP versus CP (MD -9.05, 95% CI -12.72 to -5.38, p < 0.001, I(2) = 89%). Dang shen formulae also increased distance walked in 6 min when combined with CP versus CP alone (MD 51.43 m, 95% CI 30.06-72.80, p < 0.001, I(2) = 27%) and reduced frequency/days with COPD exacerbations. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane tool. Methodological shortfalls were identified. Adverse events were low and not different between intervention and control groups. Thirty-three events were reported, including gastrointestinal upset, dry mouth, and insomnia. Dang shen formulae appear to improve some aspects of the included COPD outcomes. However, owing to methodological flaws, the current evidence is inadequate to support the routine use of Dang shen formulae outside of Chinese medicine practice. However, these results justify further investigation.
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Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and type 2 diabetes in the Women's Health Study.
Song, Y, Klevak, A, Manson, JE, Buring, JE, Liu, S
Diabetes research and clinical practice. 2010;(3):365-71
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic airway inflammation in asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes; however, prospective data have been limited. METHODS A prospective cohort of 38,570 women who were aged ≥ 45 years, free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline, and free of diabetes at baseline and in the first 12 months were analyzed. We classified all women into three groups according to the presence and absence of self-reported asthma or COPD (including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis). RESULTS During a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 2472 incident type 2 diabetes events were documented. Women who had ever reported asthma or COPD were associated with an increased diabetes risk; the multivariate RRs were 1.37 (95% CI, 1.20-1.57) for women who had asthma alone and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.14-1.67) for COPD without asthmatic symptoms. Furthermore, these associations were not significantly modified by age, smoking status, physical activity, BMI, alcohol intake, hormone replacement therapy, menopausal status or randomized treatment. CONCLUSIONS Asthma and COPD were individually and independently associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women, indicating that chronic airway inflammation may contribute to diabetes pathogenesis.