Efficacy of compound Qingre Granules on inflammatory markers in patients with fever of unknown origin: A randomized clinical trial

IntroductionInflammatory-marker profiles in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) are largely unclear. Qingre Granules (QRG) have been used to treat patients with FUO. The aim of this study was to investigate the inflammatory-marker levels in patients with FUO, and assess the efficacy of QRG.MethodsUsing a random numbers table FUO patients were assigned to one of two groups (QRG or Control). All patients were treated according to western medicine, but patients in the QRG group additionally received QRG.ResultsTreatment success rate in QRG and control group was 95.45% and 72.92%, respectively. The time period for restoration of normal body temperature in the QRG group (7.77 ± 6.35 days) was shorter than that in the control group (8.31 ± 6.81 days); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). A decrease in the levels of TREM-1, TLR4, C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α was observed in both groups. However, the decrease in TREM-1 and TNF-α levels in the QRG group was much greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, TREM-1 positively correlated with the levels of IL-10 and TNF-α (P < 0.05).ConclusionsQRG appears to be a potential therapeutic agent for patients with FUO and excessive heat syndrome, which possibly acts by reducing the levels of inflammatory markers.