Objective: To evaluate the differences in the efficacy of stationary treatment and individualized treatment for patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
Methods: This study was a randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Participants with NPDR were randomized into the stationary treatment group or the individualized treatment group. The stationary treatment group was given the basic treatment and Qiming granules, and the individualized treatment group was given the basic treatment, Qiming granules, and individualized Chinese herbal medicines over a 12-week period. The individualized therapeutic formula was also changed over time to adjust to the changes in the clinical presentation of the patient. We conducted observations of fundus retinal exudation and hemorrhage, visual acuity, Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom scores and other indicators.
Results: A total of 140 participants with NPDR were randomized into the stationary treatment group or the individualized treatment group, and 132 participants completed this study. Following the 12-week treatment, significant improvements in both primary and secondary outcomes were observed in the stationary and individualized treatment groups. No remarkable difference in the primary outcomes between the two groups was observed. However, there was a significant difference in the Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom scores (18 ± 7 vs 15 ± 6; P < 0.05). There were no severe adverse effects.
Conclusion: Compared with stationary treatment, individualized treatment is more effective at relieving the Traditional Chinese Medicine symptoms and improving vision and fundus lesions at 12 weeks post treatment.
Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; Individualized treatment; Qiming granule; Randomized controlled trial.