- 2023-12
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 166(1)
- Fuxing Li
- Mei Han
- Jiayu Zhang
- Jingru Ji
- Yanfei Wu
- Junni Wei
Study Design
- Type
- Meta-Analysis
- Sample size
- n = 683
- Population
- 11 683 patients and nine kinds of TCM
- Methods
- 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), network meta-analysis, data extraction including sample size, age, medicine used for abortion, outcome measures; RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software used
Background
To what extent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with mifepristone and misoprostol is beneficial for improving the complete abortion rate and duration of vaginal bleeding has been a subject of debate in the field of medical abortion.Objective
To assess the evidence regarding the complete abortion rate and duration of vaginal bleeding of medical abortion assisted by different kinds of TCM.Search strategy
We searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library database, China National Knowledge Internet, Wan fang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc from 2000 to February 15, 2023.Selection criteria
The control group was medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol, and the experimental group was medical abortion assisted by TCM.Data collection and analysis
Major data extraction included sample size, age, medicine used for abortion, outcome measures. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software were used to assess the literature quality and perform network meta-analysis, respectively.Main results
A total of 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 11 683 patients and nine kinds of TCM were included in this study. Compared with mifepristone and misoprostol, eight kinds of TCM had statistical significance in improving the complete abortion rate. The effect value of Sancao decoction was 5.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.53-13.58). Seven kinds of TCM shortened the duration of vaginal bleeding. The effect value of comfrey and trichosanthin decoction was -8.75 (95% CI -10.86 to -6.64).Conclusions
This network meta-analysis showed that Lenge Zhumo decoction and Sancao decoction could have a large beneficial effect on complete abortion rate in medical abortion during early pregnancy, and comfrey and trichosanthin decoction could be the best TCM for shortening the duration of vaginal bleeding.