Clinical Efficacy of an Astragalus and Atractylodes Recipe for Treating Early Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis of Evidence-Based Studies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: In the clinical practice of different medical practitioners, the therapeutic effect of astragalus and atractylodes recipe (AAR) on early diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is obvious, but there is a lack of large sample data to support it. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of AAR for treating early DKD. Methods: Reports published in the following databases from inception to January 26, 2022 were retrieved: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Sinomed, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of AAR for treating early DKD were considered, with relevant data extracted and quality evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration System Evaluation Method. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: Thirteen articles that included a total of 928 patients were considered. Based on the meta-analysis, the total efficacy of the treatment group was better than that of the control group (odds ratio [OR]: 4.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.78, 6.70; P < 0.0001). The treatment group outperformed the control group in terms of blood-fat total cholesterol (TC, SMD: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.26; P < 0.00001), triglyceride (TG, SMD: 0.83, 95% CI: 1.47, 0.19; P = 0.01), serum creatinine (Scr, SMD: 1.55; 95% CI: 2.28, 0.82; P = 0.02), blood urea nitrogen (BUN, SMD: 0.77; 95% CI: 1.47, 0.07; P = 0.03), and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER, SMD: 1.55; 95% CI: 2.28, −0.82; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Use of an AAR for treating diabetic kidney disease improved clinical outcomes versus conventional treatment alone, without compromising patient safety.