OBJECTIVETo make a study of the cytokine changes in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly and the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine that can clear away the lung-heat and dissipate blood stasis (Qingfeihuayu soup).

METHODThe 82 cases with CAP in the elderly were divided at random into two treatment group and control group. Based on heteropathy, the treatment group was given Qingfeihuayu soup two times a day. The control group was given Rocephin 2 g once daily for 7 days. The clinical effect and the changes in TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 were observed before and after the treatment. A healthy group was also set up.

RESULTBefore treatment, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in both groups were higher than the healthy group (P < 0.01) and IL-10 lower than the healthy group (P < 0.01). After treatment, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in both groups decreased (P < 0.01) while IL-10 in treatment group increased. There existed a great difference compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The total effective rate in the treatment group is 92.50% while the control group is 85.71%. thus have a great difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDuring the process of the development of CAP in the elderly, there existed the phenomenon of the excessive release of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and the too much inhibition of IL-10. The unbalance of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 can be a monitoring index reflecting the severity of the disease. The Chinese medicine Qingfeihuayu soup has obviously have regulating and clinical effect.