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Management of asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 patients with Cheongpebaedok-tang on the telemedical basis: A retrospective observational case series

  • Sung-Woo Kang (Division of Allergy, Immune and Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kwan-Il Kim (Division of Allergy, Immune and Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Mideok Song (Kyunghee Korean Medicine clinic) ;
  • Jinhwan Roh (Seoul Kyunghee Clinic) ;
  • Namhun Cho (Wondang Kyunghee Korean medical clinic) ;
  • Heung Ko (Department Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University ) ;
  • Sung-Se Son (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University ) ;
  • Minjeong Jeong (Department of Pediatrics, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University ) ;
  • Jun-Yong Choi (Department of Korean Internal Medicine, School of Korean Medicine & Korean Medicine Hospital of Pusan National University) ;
  • Ojin Kwon (KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine) ;
  • Seojung Ha (Department of Internal Medicine (Pulmonary & Allergy System), Kyung Hee University Medical Center) ;
  • Hee-Jae Jung (Division of Allergy, Immune and Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Beom-Joon Lee (Division of Allergy, Immune and Respiratory System, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University)
  • Received : 2023.10.05
  • Accepted : 2023.11.15
  • Published : 2023.12.01

Abstract

Objectives: This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of Cheongpebaedok-tang, a traditional Korean herbal medicine, provided via telemedicine to patients with asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 in Korea. Methods: From February to April 2020, a retrospective analysis investigated COVID-19 patients treated via Korean telemedicine. The study involved asymptomatic to mild cases receiving Cheongpebaedok-tang more than three times, along with continuous Korean medicine care in convalescence. Diagnoses and treatment adhered to the telemedicine guidelines of the Association of Korean Medicine, with varied Cheongpebaedok-tang prescriptions based on symptom severity. Symptom evaluation involved a detailed assessment using a 15-item tool at initial and final sessions. Results: The study included 27 patients, with a mean age of 48.7 ± 2.3 years (mean ± standard error). Patients began self-administering oral Cheongpebaedok-tang for an average of 19.4 ± 1.8 days after the date of COVID-19 diagnosis confirmation and continued the medication for 15.8 ± 1.2 days. The reported side effects of the Cheongpebaedok-tang included palpitations (11.1%), insomnia (7.4%), dizziness (3.7%), and diarrhea (3.7%). All side effects disappeared after adjusting the prescription according to standard treatment guidelines. The occurrence of all COVID-19-related adverse symptoms, except fatigue and myalgia, decreased. Fatigue was the most common chronic symptom persisting after 6 months (51.9%), followed by ocular symptoms (37.0%) and sore throat (22.2%). Conclusions: This study implies Cheongpebaedok-tang may offer a potentially safe, symptom-alleviating approach for managing mild COVID-19 cases via telemedicine, although further comprehensive research is warranted.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean medicine and the Association of Korean Medicine.

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