Lung Dispersing, Turbid Descending and Gut Clearing Decoction for Bronchiectasis

Efficacy and Safety of Lung Dispersing, Turbid Descending and Gut Clearing Decoction on Clinically Stable Bronchiectasis (LUNG-CLEAR): A Multicenter, Randomized, Cross-over Trial

Bronchiectasis is a chronic airway disease which confers significant healthcare burden, with limited therapeutic approaches. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, congenital insufficiency of the lung, spleen and kidney, when coupled with external injury or mood impairment, may collectively contribute to bronchiectasis pathogenesis due to heat trapping in the phlems, congestion of wind evils and stagnation of blood. Here, the investigators will explore the Lung Dispersing, Turbid Descending and Gut Clearing Decoction (LTGD) which targets at expelling the wind evil in patients with bronchiectasis. The investigators sought to conduct a multicenter, randomized cross-over trial which investigates the efficacy and safety of LTGD on clinically stable bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic airway disease which confers significant healthcare burden, with limited therapeutic approaches. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, congenital insufficiency of the lung, spleen and kidney, when coupled with external injury or mood impairment, may collectively contribute to bronchiectasis pathogenesis due to heat trapping in the phlems, congestion of wind evils and stagnation of blood. Symptomatic treatment may be effective and safe for ameliorating respiratory symptoms and hindering disease progression of bronchiectasis. Here, the investigators have explored the Lung Dispersing, Turbid Descending and Gut Clearing Decoction (LTGD) which targets at expelling the wind evil in patients with bronchiectasis. The investigators sought to conduct a multicenter, randomized cross-over trial which investigates the efficacy and safety of LTGD on clinically stable bronchiectasis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged between 18 and 75 years;
• remained clinically stable (respiratory symptoms and lung function parameters not exceeding normal daily variations) for 4 consecutive weeks;
• no acute upper respiratory tract infections within 4 weeks;
• 1 or more BEs within the previous 2 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other unstable concomitant systemic illnesses (i.e. coronary heart disease, recent cerebral stroke, severe uncontrolled hypertension, active gastric or duodenal ulcer, uncontrolled diabetes, malignancy, hepatic or renal dysfunction);
• Concomitant asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or active tuberculosis;
• Concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as the predominant diagnosis;
• Treatment with inhaled, oral or systemic antibiotics within 4 weeks;
• Type 2 respiratory failure needing oxygen therapy or non-invasive mechanical ventilation;
• Females during lactation or pregnancy;
• Poor understanding or failure to properly operate the instrument;
• Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months.