Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom characteristics and prescriptions
in 196 patients with COVID-19 from Wanzhou, Chongqing
Abstract
Objective: Clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients differ in regions. Our
objective is to explore the characteristics of TCM symptoms and
prescriptions of COVID-19 patients in Wanzhou area of Chongqing.
Methods: We investigated hospitalized cases of COVID-19 in Wanzhou,
Chongqing. The primary outcomes of interest were TCM symptoms and
prescriptions, while the secondary outcomes included chest computed
tomography (CT), white blood cell counts, lymphocyte levels, and
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.Results: Among the 196 included patients
with COVID-19, the top five TCM symptoms were: poor appetite (82.14%),
cough (65.31%), fatigue (17.86%), aversion to cold (16.84%), and
fever (17.35%). Their five most common TCM prescriptions were: Sashen
Radix Ophipodonis Decoction (38.22%), Sijunzi Decoction (37.7%),
Maxing Shigan Decoction (31.94%), Sanren Decoction (15.71%), and
Xiaochaihu Decoction (12.04%). Participants’ TCM symptom scores before
hospital discharge were lower than on admission (P < 0.05).
There were also statistically significant differences in white blood
cell counts, lymphocyte levels, and CRP levels before or after discharge
from hospital as compared with before admission (P <
0.05).Conclusion: The dominant clinical symptoms of patients with
COVID-19 in Chongqing were poor appetite, cough, and fatigue, which may
be related to the geography and climate of Wanzhou. The TCM
prescriptions given to the patients were consistent with their most
common symptoms and the fact that the lung and spleen are the main
viscera invaded by COVID-19. Traditional Chinese Medicine had a positive
effect on patients with COVID-19.