Influence factors in treatment of HIV-related chronic diarrhea related by traditional Chinese medicine

Objective To explore the factors influencing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment of HIV-related chronic diarrhea (HRCD). Methods Two hundred and two HRCD patients treated with TCM were included in the study. According to the therapeutic efficacy, 133 cases (65.84%) were classified into effective group, 69 cases (34.16%) were classified into inefficacy group. Leukocyte and erythrocyte in stool routine examination (SRE), pathogens in stool samples and inflammation by colonoscopy were recorded. Unconditioned logistic regression analysis was used to explore the possible related factors influencing the treatment of HRCD. Results Logistic regression analysis showed leukocyte in SRE (OR=0.286, 95%CI: 0.138-0.595), CD4 cell count (OR=1.003, 95%CI: 1.003-1.006), diarrhea score (OR=1.185, 95%CI: 1.185-1.378), pathogen culture positive rate (OR=0.332, 95%CI: 0.332-0.691) were related risk factors of therapeutic efficacy in TCM treatment of HRCD. Conclusions TCM could obtain better therapeutic efficacy for patients with non-infectious HRCD, obvious diarrhea symptoms and poor immune function, indicating the advantages of TCM. Key words: Traditional Chinese medicine; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Chronic diarrhea; Therapeutic efficacy related factor