Selection of Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for the Treatment of Uric Acid Nephropathy
To analyze the selection of outcome indicators measured in randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of uric acid nephropathy treated with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine,thereby providing a reference for future clinical studies to select the appropriate outcome indicators.Methods:Ten databases were searched for RCTs involving uric acid nephropathy.The outcome indicators reported were extracted and analyzed.Results:A total of 162 research articles with 79 outcome indicators were included in the study.Of these indicators,creatinine,urea nitrogen,and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were measured mainly for the evaluation of renal function,and blood uric acid was commonly used in evaluating the level of uric acid.The rate of outcome indicators utilized for determining treatment effects was higher than 87%.Adverse events were reported at a rate of 41.3%.Sixty-four indicators had a utilization rate of less than 5%.Conclusion:So far,there are no uniform outcome indicators.Most studies on uric acid nephropathy use biochemical indicators as outcome measures.However,no hard endpoints or clinically important outcomes were selected.The number of included studies is small and further discussion is needed on how to select outcome indicators.