Meta-analysis of Tonifying-Kindney and Soothing-Liver traditional Chinese medicine method in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Background:To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of Tonifying-Kindney and Soothing-Liver method in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:The literatures of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)on the treatment of PCOS with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)published at home and abroad until March 2020 were retrieved,and RCTs on the treatment of PCOS with Tonifying-Kindney and Soothing-Liver method were collected.According to the systematic evaluation method of the Cochrane Collaboration Network,RevMan5.3 software was used to perform quality evaluation and data extraction for meta-analysis of tests that met the inclusion criteria.Results:A total of 30 eligible RCTs were included,including 2244 patients.Meta-analysis results show that the method of tonifying the kidney and Soothing-Liver has certain advantages in the treatment of PCOS.Compared with Western medicine alone group,tonifying the kidney and Soothing-Liver TCM method alone or combined with Western medicine could improve the total effective rate[OR=3.52,95%CI(2.67,4.63),I2=0%,P<0.00001].It is superior to the control group in improving ovulation rate[OR=2.01,95%CI(1.46,2.78),I2=0%,P<0.0001],pregnancy rate[OR=2.82,95%CI(2.28,3.49),I2=0%,P<0.00001],reducing LH[MD=-2.65,95%CI(-3.43,-1.88),I2=92%,P<0.00001]and ovarian stimulating hormone levels[MD=-0.52,95%CI(-0.85,-0.18),I2=94%,P=0.002].There was no statistical difference in reducing serum testosterone levels[SMD=-0.56,95%CI(-1.22,0.09),I2=96%,P=0.09]and improving TCM symptoms[MD=-0.09,95%CI(-4.75,4.56),I2=97%,P=0.97].Conclusion:The method of tonifying the kidney and Soothing-Liver has a certain effect in treating polycystic ovary syndrome,but the evidence is still very limited,and a large sample of high-quality randomized controlled studies is still needed in order to make a more rigorous evaluation.