Effects of medical abortion assisted by traditional Chinese medicine: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundTo what extent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with mifepristone and misoprostol is beneficial for improving the complete abortion rate and duration of vaginal bleeding has been a subject of debate in the field of medical abortion.ObjectiveTo assess the evidence regarding the complete abortion rate and duration of vaginal bleeding of medical abortion assisted by different kinds of TCM.Search StrategyWe searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library database, China National Knowledge Internet, Wan fang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc from 2000 to February 15, 2023.Selection CriteriaThe control group was medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol, and the experimental group was medical abortion assisted by TCM.Data Collection and AnalysisMajor data extraction included sample size, age, medicine used for abortion, outcome measures. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1 software were used to assess the literature quality and perform network meta-analysis, respectively.Main ResultsA total of 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 11 683 patients and nine kinds of TCM were included in this study. Compared with mifepristone and misoprostol, eight kinds of TCM had statistical significance in improving the complete abortion rate. The effect value of Sancao decoction was 5.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.53-13.58). Seven kinds of TCM shortened the duration of vaginal bleeding. The effect value of comfrey and trichosanthin decoction was -8.75 (95% CI -10.86 to -6.64).ConclusionsThis network meta-analysis showed that Lenge Zhumo decoction and Sancao decoction could have a large beneficial effect on complete abortion rate in medical abortion during early pregnancy, and comfrey and trichosanthin decoction could be the best TCM for shortening the duration of vaginal bleeding. As a supplementary drug for medical abortion, traditional Chinese medicine can improve the rate of complete abortion and shorten the duration of vaginal bleeding.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with mifepristone and misoprostol on the complete abortion rate and duration of vaginal bleeding. A total of 73 randomized controlled trials were included, and the results showed that certain TCMs could significantly improve the complete abortion rate and shorten the duration of vaginal bleeding.