Effect of Yong Chong Cao Capsule on Outcomes in Patients With Mild to Severe COPD

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two treatments for mild to severe COPD patients: one, Yong Chong Cao capsule treatment and conventional medicine based on 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and Chinese Treatment Guidelines; the other, Bailing capsule treatment and conventional medicine. COPD, with high prevalence, morbidity, mortality and economic burdens, affects millions worldwide. Although many therapies exist and are being developed to relieve symptoms and reduce mortality in COPD, most have only been studied in placebo-controlled efficacy studies in highly selected populations. There are few clinical trials to compare therapeutic alternatives in real world. Furthermore, some randomized controlled trials on Yong Chong Cao capsule, one therapeutic type of Cordyceps sinensis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions, especially based on the syndrome of insufficiency of qi of the lung and kidney patterns, have been the certain evidence for showing definite effect for COPD patients. In addition, studies in real world populations of COPD that received different cordyceps sinensis therapies that do have efficacy evidence was found wide variations in care delivery. In short, there is a need to compare the effectiveness of two capsule in patients with mild to severe COPD. This is a multi-center, open-label, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of Yong Chong Cao capsule for patients with mild to severe COPD compared with Bailing capsule. Following a 14 day run-in period, approximately 240 subjects will be randomly assigned to Yong Chong Cao capsule treatment group, Bailing capsule treatment group for 24 weeks. After the 24 weeks treatment period, subjects in two treatments arms will follow-up 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the frequency of exacerbations. The secondary efficacy measures include FEV1, dyspnea (MMRC), exercise capacity(6MWD), quality of life (CAT, SGRQ). Safety will be assessed through the collection of adverse events. There will be a total of 4 study visits (baseline, the 12 and 24 weeks of the treatment, the 24 weeks of follow-up).