Fuzheng Jiedu granules against disease progression among high-risk adults with non-severe COVID-19: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

BackgroundFuzheng Jiedu (FZJD) granules are widely used to treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since their market approval, but their clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FZJD in reducing disease progression in high-risk adults with COVI...

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Main Authors: Qiaoli Hua, Danwen Zheng, Jingwei Shui, Tong Zhang, Shengle Qin, Hanhong Zhang, Bo Yu, Longde Wang, Hailang He, Xinghua Tan, Qiumin Chen, Yang Yang, Weng Heng, Yihang Cai, Xiaohua Xu, Qing Liu, Yuntao Liu, Rongyuan Yang, Zhongde Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1523004/full
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Summary:BackgroundFuzheng Jiedu (FZJD) granules are widely used to treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since their market approval, but their clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FZJD in reducing disease progression in high-risk adults with COVID-19.MethodsA multicenter, retrospective cohort study involving high-risk adults with non-severe COVID-19 was conducted in China from May 2021 to December 2022. The study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200058097; https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=160010). Patients were categorized into two groups based on the administration of FZJD granules. The outcomes included disease progression, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality. Propensity-score analyses and multivariable regression were performed to assess the effectiveness of FZJD granules. The effectiveness was further analyzed in different subgroups.ResultsA total of 1,644 patients (54.7% female patients; mean age, 62.3 years) were included, with 27.4% (451/1,644) receiving FZJD granules. After propensity score matching (PSM), 320 FZJD granule receivers and 320 non-receivers were matched. Those receiving FZJD granules were associated with lower risks of disease progression [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06–0.73], mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03–0.66), and ICU admission (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01–0.64) than those not receiving FZJD granules. The lower risk of disease progression in the FZJD group was confirmed by multivariable regression analysis and various propensity-score analyses. Furthermore, subgroup analyses demonstrated significant treatment benefits in patients with moderate COVID-19 at admission (no progression to severe disease) or in those who were not fully vaccinated (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.50).ConclusionFZJD administration was significantly associated with a reduced risk of disease progression in high-risk adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
ISSN:1663-9812