Astragalus (a traditional Chinese medicine) for treating chronic kidney disease
Zhang HW, Lin ZX, Xu C, Leung C, Chan LS
Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Methodology
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing Astragalus (crude herb or extract) with placebo, no treatment or conventional care in chronic kidney disease.
Key Findings
Neither of the primary outcomes (time to renal replacement therapy and all-cause mortality) was reported by any included trial; risk of bias was high in six trials and unclear in the remaining 16, and overall study quality was low.
Conclusions
Current evidence for Astragalus in chronic kidney disease comes from small, poor-quality trials and is insufficient to support clinical recommendations.
Limitations
Low methodological quality, small trials, mostly Chinese-language publications, no patient-important endpoints reported.
Supplements Studied
Study quality was low overall. Our nominated primary outcomes of time to requirement for renal replacement therapy or initiation of dialysis and all-cause mortality were not reported in any of the included studies.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Cochrane Renal Group
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