Efficacy of traditional Chinese Medicine for gastric precancerous lesion: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastric precancerous lesion (GPL).

Method: Literature retrieval was conducted in seven databases from their inception through Dec. 24th, 2018. The Cochrane collaboration, Review Manager (RevMan5.3) and GRADE profiler software were conducted for this meta-analysis.

Results: In primary outcomes, results of meta-analysis showed that TCM had superior to current routine pharmacotherapy (RP) in clinical efficacy, Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication rate, efficacy under endoscopy, and TCM syndrome efficacy. Meanwhile, no potential publication bias was detected by Begg's and Egger's tests. In secondary outcomes, compared with control groups, experimental groups were more positive effects on improvement of stomach distention, stomachache, and heartburn.

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that TCM could have positive effects on GPL. However, further standardized RCTs of rigorous design should be required to obtain more forceful evidence.