The classic Chinese medicine weijing decoction as a complementary intervention for respiratory diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The incidence of pulmonary diseases remains unacceptably high, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies. The current therapeutic landscape, largely reliant on antibiotics and hormonal agents, is constrained by growing challenges such as drug resistance, significant toxicity profiles, and prolonged disease courses. As a time-honored TCM prescription, Weijing Decoction (WJD) is widely administered for respiratory ailments. However, a critical appraisal of the existing literature reveals a paucity of high-quality evidence. Research to date has largely been confined to anecdotal case reports or preliminary investigations with limited sample sizes, resulting in a lack of systematic assessment on the combined efficacy and safety of WJD and modern medical interventions. Objective This study aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the therapeutic efficacy of Weijing Decoction (WJD) in the management of respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across six electronic databases, including both international and Chinese-language databases, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of WJD in the treatment of COPD and pneumonia. Data on primary outcomes, including the overall clinical efficacy rate, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Scores, were extracted and synthesized using RevMan version 5.4 software. Statistical heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the I2 test and Chi-square test. A fixed-effect model was employed in the presence of low heterogeneity (I2 ≤ 50 %, p > 0.1), whereas a random-effects model was applied when significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 > 50 %, p < 0.1). Funnel plots were used to assess potential publication bias among the included studies. Results A total of 10 eligible studies involving 1315 patients diagnosed with respiratory diseases were included in the analysis. Patients in the control group received conventional medical treatment, whereas those in the intervention group received WJD in addition to standard therapy. The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher overall disease efficacy rates, along with marked reductions in CRP levels and lower Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Scores (including symptoms such as cough and sputum production), compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of WJD with conventional therapy appears to be an effective and beneficial treatment strategy for managing COPD and pneumonia, potentially improving clinical outcomes. This integrative approach shows promise in enhancing the quality of care and may offer additional therapeutic advantages in the management of these respiratory conditions.