| Methods |
Parallel design. Due to the randomisation method wasn't mentioned in original article, we telephone interviewed the original author. The randomisation method was made clear that allocation sequence was generated by random number table. Single blindness: the patients didn't know which group they were in. |
| Participants |
93 patients who were diagnosed as Grave's disease and PCI>150 were included. The patients whose kidney were impaired other causes were excluded. 46 cases were in the intervention group (M/F=9/37, aged between 18 and 71, 38.1+/‐12.4 years old on average). 47 cases were in the control group (M/F=8/39, aged between 17 and 68, 36.4+/‐11.2 years old on average). Baseline of two groups were similar. |
| Interventions |
Propylthiouracil was used in both groups, p.o., 100 mg/day, b.i.d. Chinese medicine was additionally used in the intervention group. Chinese medicine was made into pills, 1 ampoule/d, for 4 weeks. |
| Outcomes |
The outcomes were evaluated by PCI=(uria protein/uria creatinine)*10, uria NAG/PNP method, blood/uria ¦Â2‐MG, thyroid gland function and relative antibody (FT3,FT4,TGA).
1. The changes of uria protein and NAG: After 4 and 8 weeks, uria protein and NAG of both groups decreased. There was statistical significance between two groups, showing that the decrease of intervention group was more obviousely than control group. And the decrease of PCI was in correlation of NAG;
2. The changes of blood/uria ¦Â2‐MG: ¦Â2‐MG of both groups decreased to normal level. After 4 weeks, both blood and uria ¦Â2‐MG of the intervention group decreased more obviousely than control group;
3. The changes of thyroid gland function: After 8 weeks, FT3, FT4 of both groups improved obviousely. |
| Notes |
1. We telephone interviewed the pharmaceutical company and learned that the formulation of the Chinese medicine and the pills made by Chinese herb used in the intervention group was provided by the authors themselves, and the company provided processed raw material needed;
2. There was potential conflict of interest in the study. |
