Efficacy and safety of Xiaochaihu decoction for subacute thyroiditis: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background:Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is a transient and self-limiting inflammatory thyroid disease. There is no clear evidence for specific etiology, but it is generally thought to occur after viral infection. Characteristics of SAT include severe pain of the anterior neck, enlarged firm thyroid, disordered thyroid function, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), typical ultrasound findings (hypoechoic areas) and low thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine or technetium-99 m because of the destructive etiology of the hyperthyroidism. Evidences showed Xiaochaihu decoction (XCHD) has a significant effect on improving the symptoms of SAT patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of XCHD for patients with SAT.Methods and analysis:The literature that has been identified via searching 6 Chinese electronic databases and eight English electronic databases from inception to September 21, 2020 will be included in the study. Research selection, data extraction as well as research quality assessment will be completed by 2 experienced researchers independently. The primary outcome is remission rate. Data analysis will be conducted by the RevMan 5 software, and GRADE will help to assess the level of evidence. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by a heterogeneity x2 test, as well as the Higgins I2 test. A subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis will be conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity.Results:The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Conclusion:This study will draw a conclusion about whether XCHD is safe and effective in treating SAT on the basis of evidence-based medicine. This conclusion will provide areliable scientific evidence for the alternative treatment for the management of SAT.