Bronchiectasis
Conditions
Keywords
Stable Bronchiectasis, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Phlegm-Heat Syndrome, Lifei Qingchang Granules, Postural Drainage
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lifei Qingchang Granules in the treatment of patients with stable bronchiectasis. This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Researchers plan to enroll a total of 150 adult participants (aged 18-75) who have been diagnosed with stable bronchiectasis and experience at least one acute exacerbation in the past 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups in a 1:1 ratio: * The treatment group will receive Lifei Qingchang Granules along with standard postural drainage therapy. * The control group will receive a matching placebo along with standard postural drainage therapy. The treatment period will last for 3 months. The main goal is to see if the treatment can improve patients' respiratory symptoms and overall quality of life.
Detailed description
Bronchiectasis is characterized by pathological dilation of the bronchi, with main symptoms including chronic cough and expectoration. Currently, there is no specific cure, making it an urgent clinical problem. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis is closely related to "phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs". Lifei Qingchang Granule is an in-hospital preparation patented by the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Patent No.: ZL202110246137.5, Guangdong Medical Preparation No. Z20240007001). Previous clinical observations suggest it effectively reduces acute exacerbations, decreases hemoptysis, and lowers hospitalization rates. This study aims to conduct a pre-clinical study for the transformation of this in-hospital preparation into a new drug. This prospective, multicenter study plans to enroll 150 participants. Eligible participants must meet the diagnostic criteria for stable bronchiectasis, exhibit the TCM syndrome of "phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs," and have a history of at least one acute exacerbation in the previous 12 months. Participants will be stratified based on their previous 12-month exacerbation frequency (\<3 and ≥3 times) and randomized via an Interactive Web Response System (IWRS) into the herbal treatment group or the placebo group. Both groups will receive standardized postural drainage. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in the respiratory dimension score of the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis questionnaire at month 3. Secondary endpoints include the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score, 24-hour sputum volume, sputum characteristics (color and consistency), sputum bacteriology, TCM symptom scores, and pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1) at month 3. Safety assessments, including vital signs, laboratory tests, and adverse event monitoring, will be conducted throughout the study.
Interventions
DRUGLifei Qingchang Granules
A Traditional Chinese Medicine in-hospital preparation (Patent No.: ZL202110246137.5). Administered orally, 1 sachet per dose, 3 doses per day for 3 months.
OTHERPlacebo
An inactive matching placebo primarily composed of dextrin, lactose, edible essence, and food coloring. Administered orally, 1 sachet per dose, 3 doses per day for 3 months.
PROCEDUREPostural Drainage
Standardized postural drainage therapy to assist in sputum clearance.
Sponsors
The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
In addition to the roles listed above, data managers and statisticians are also strictly masked to the treatment assignments until the database is locked for final analysis. The experimental drug (Lifei Qingchang Granules) and the placebo are identical in appearance, smell, packaging, and dosage instructions. An independent statistician generates the randomization sequence, which is directly imported into the central Interactive Web Response System (IWRS). Investigators distribute the study drugs solely based on the unique medication code assigned by the IWRS, ensuring the blind is maintained throughout the process.
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group (Lifei Qingchang Granules) or the placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. To ensure baseline balance between the two groups, the randomization is stratified based on the participants' frequency of acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis in the previous 12 months (\<3 times vs. ≥3 times). Throughout the study, participants in both arms will receive standardized postural drainage as a background therapy.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Aged 18 to 75 years old, regardless of sex. * Diagnosed with bronchiectasis confirmed by High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scan. * Bronchiectasis is currently in the stable phase. * Experienced at least one acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis within the previous 12 months. * Diagnosed with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome of "Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lungs". * Able to understand the study protocol and voluntarily sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
* Allergic to any ingredients of the investigational drug or placebo. * Comorbid with other severe systemic diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, stroke, severe hypertension \[systolic BP ≥ 180 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 110 mmHg\], active gastric ulcer, uncontrolled diabetes \[fasting venous blood glucose ≥ 10 mmol/L\], malignant tumors, abnormal liver or kidney function \[AST, ALT, or GGT \> 2 times the upper limit of normal; or serum creatinine \> 2 times the upper limit of normal\]) or psychiatric disorders. * Comorbid with asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), or active pulmonary tuberculosis. * Comorbid with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and presenting COPD as the primary clinical manifestation (as judged by the investigator). * Use of inhaled, oral, or intravenous antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. * Type 2 respiratory failure requiring long-term non-invasive mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy (\> 10 hours/day). * History of drug abuse, psychotropic drug dependence, or alcohol abuse. * Current smokers or those unable to stop smoking during the study. * Pregnant or lactating women, planning to become pregnant during the study, or refusing to use reliable contraceptive methods throughout the study period. * Participation in any other clinical trials within 3 months prior to enrollment. * Considered unsuitable for participation in this clinical study by the investigator.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in the Respiratory Domain Score of the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) Questionnaire | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) | The QOL-B questionnaire is utilized to assess the impact of bronchiectasis on daily life, specifically focusing on the respiratory domain which evaluates symptoms such as cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change from Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Score | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) |
| Change from Baseline in 24-hour Sputum Volume | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) |
| Change from Baseline in Pulmonary Function (FVC and FEV1) | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) |
| Change from Baseline in Sputum Characteristics (Color and Consistency) Score | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) |
| Change from Baseline in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome Score | Baseline and Month 3 (Day 84) |
Countries
China
Contacts
CONTACTZhimin Zhang, MD
CONTACTRan Lin, MD
Outcome results
None listed