Systematic review and sequential analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration based on GRADE evidence quality rating.

BACKGROUND

This study systematically reviews the clinical efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), assesses the quality of evidence, and verifies the credibility of the research findings.

METHODS

Literature on TCM treatment for AMD was retrieved from PUBMED, Cochrane, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, SINOMED, Wanfang, and Technology Periodical Database (VIP) from inception to January 17, 2025. The selected literature was screened, data extracted, and evaluated. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3, trial sequential analysis (TSA) using TSA v0.9 software, and grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation evidence quality rating using.

RESULTS

A total of 52 randomized controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis results showed that the experimental group demonstrated better clinical efficacy compared with the control group (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.29, P < .00001), lower recurrence rates (RR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.21-0.57, P < .0001), and improvements in central macular thickness (weighted mean difference = 0.79, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.71, P < .00001) and best-corrected visual acuity (weighted mean difference = -0.76, 95% CI: -1.01 to -0.52), P < .00001). TSA further confirmed the efficacy of TCM in treating AMD. The grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation evidence quality rating indicated that recurrence rates and best-corrected visual acuity (early treatment diabetic retinopathy study) were of very low-quality evidence, while other outcomes were of low-quality evidence.

CONCLUSION

TCM is safe and effective in the treatment of AMD, but additional high-quality clinical studies are necessary to further verify the results.