Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its extensive history of treating infectious diseases, has demonstrated remarkable potential in combating COVID-19, especially among patients with preexisting health conditions. This scoping review explores the efficacy of TCM in managing COVID-19 cases complicated by comorbidities affecting various bodily systems.
Overview of Findings
The review analyzed 13 studies conducted between 2020 and 2024, focusing on circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, metabolic, digestive, and urogenital system diseases. Among these, circulatory system conditions, such as hypertension and heart disease, were the most common. TCM interventions showed significant improvements in symptoms like fever, fatigue, dry cough, and asthma. Additionally, these treatments promoted faster lung recovery, reduced the duration of viral shedding, and shortened hospital stays.
For circulatory system conditions, patients treated with TCM-based remedies, including Qingfei Paidu decoction, reported better recovery rates and improved lung imaging results. Studies also highlighted TCM’s role in lowering blood pressure and managing symptoms in patients with hypertension and heart failure.
Similarly, TCM proved beneficial for endocrine and metabolic diseases like diabetes, reducing blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. In respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary tuberculosis, TCM interventions alleviated respiratory symptoms and enhanced overall patient outcomes.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings underscore TCM’s therapeutic potential in treating COVID-19 patients with comorbidities. However, researchers emphasize the need for further multi-center studies to confirm these results and broaden TCM’s clinical applications.
Conclusion
This review provides critical insights into TCM’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges of managing COVID-19 in patients with preexisting health conditions. It offers valuable guidance for integrating traditional and modern medical practices to improve patient outcomes.
