Efficacy and safety of Duhuo Jisheng decoction combined with Western medicine in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: and purpose: The effects of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DJD) on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remain controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of DJD combined with Western medicine in treating AS. Methods: A total of nine databases were searched from the establishment of the databases to August 13th, 2021, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the use of DJD combined with Western medicine to treat AS. Review Manager was used for the meta-analysis of the retrieved data. The risk of bias was evaluated using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for RCTs. Results: The results indicated that the combinational use of DJD and Western medicine resulted in significantly higher outcomes in terms of effective rate (RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.51); thoracic mobility (MD = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.43); morning stiffness time (SMD =-0.38, 95% CI: 0.61, -0.14); BASDAI (MD =-0.84, 95% CI: 1.57, -0.10); VAS for pain [spinal (MD =-2.76, 95% CI: 3.10, -2.42); peripheral joint (MD =-0.84, 95% CI: 1.16, -0.53)]; CRP (MD =-3.75, 95% CI: 6.36, -1.14); ESR: (MD =-4.80, 95% CI: 7.63, -1.97); and adverse reactions (RR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.66) in comparison to the Western medicine alone in treating AS. Conclusion: Compared to the use of Western medicine, DJD combined with Western medicine improves the effective rate, functional scores, and symptoms of AS patients, with a reduced rate of adverse reactions.