Investigating a modified Yiqi Huoxue formula for chronic glomerulonephritis: Effects on clinical efficacy, renal function, and inflammation

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a modified Yiqi Huoxue formula in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN), with a specific focus on its impact on renal function and inflammatory markers. In this Retrospective study, patients diagnosed with CGN and the information collected in the outpatient medical record between April and August 2023 were allocated to either an observation group or a control group. The control group (n = 45) received conventional basic treatment, whereas the observation group (n = 45) was administered the modified Yiqi Huoxue formula alongside conventional treatment for a duration of 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included clinical efficacy rates, while secondary outcomes encompassed measurements of renal function indices (serum creatinine Scr, blood urea nitrogen BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantitation 24hUPQ), lipid profiles (triglycerides TG, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol LDL-C), and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein hs-CRP). A total of 90 patients were enrolled. The observation group exhibited a significantly higher clinical effectiveness rate of 86.67% compared to 66.67% in the control group ( P <.05). After the 8-week intervention, posttreatment levels of Scr, BUN, and 24hUPQ were significantly lower in the observation group than in the controls ( P <.05). Furthermore, significant reductions were also observed in the observation group for TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels ( P <.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified reductions in Scr, BUN, 24hUPQ, IL-6, and hs-CRP as factors significantly correlated with clinical efficacy ( P <.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed that both renal function indicators (area under the curve = 0.848) and inflammatory markers (area under the curve = 0.739) served as reliable predictors of favorable treatment outcomes. The modified Yiqi Huoxue formula, as an adjunctive therapy, demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in the management of CGN. Its therapeutic benefits are potentially mediated through the dual mechanisms of improving renal function and attenuating systemic inflammation, thereby delaying disease progression. These findings support its clinical application for CGN patients.