Abstract
AIM: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common chronic airway disease that can lead to decreased lung function in patients. It places a heavy economic burden on patients and society. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine have played important roles in managing COPD. We aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for treating COPD with Chinese and Western Medicine. METHODS: We formed a guideline panel of multidisciplinary experts. The clinical questions were identified based on two rounds of issue solicitation and expert demonstration. We searched the literature for direct evidence on the management of COPD and assessed its certainty-generated evidence using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach. The recommendations and their strengths were formulated using the Delphi method. RESULTS: Our guideline covers aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of COPD such as principles and commonly used medications for both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, complications, and the high-risk populations. 9 clinical questions and 35 recommendations were identified, which covered the combinations of YuPingFeng granule, Buzhong Yiqi decoction, Gushen Dingchuan Pill, Bufei Huoxue Capsules, Runfei cream, Bailing Capsule, Tanyin Pills, etc., and nonpharmacological therapy of TCM such as combined acupoint application, electroacupuncture, and Chinese exercise techniques (Tai Chi, Baduanjin), etc. Recommendations were either high or low or in the form of ungraded consensus-based statements. CONCLUSIONS: This is a comprehensive and systematic evidence-based guideline and we hope it can systematically and effectively guide clinicians in managing COPD and improve overall medical care.