OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of Yiqi Qushi Recipe (YQR) in treating myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and its effects on their immune functions.

METHODSRecruited were 40 type I and II MG patients from clinics and wards of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2009 to June 2011. They were randomly assigned to the treatment group (20 cases) and the control group (20 cases). Patients in the treatment group took YQR, one dose daily, while those in the control group took pyridostigmine 60 mg, three times a day. The therapeutic course consisted of eight weeks. The clinical efficacy, immunization indicators before and after treatment were observed. Meanwhile, the safety evaluation was performed.

RESULTSThe cured and effective rate was 75% and the total effective rate was 95% in the treatment group. They were 45% and 85% in the control group. Better results were obtained in the treatment group. Compared with the same group before treatment, IgA, IgG, and CD8 increased, IgM, CD4, and CD4/CD8 decreased in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in each index of the control group after treatment (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, IgA, IgG, and CD8 increased, CD4 and CD4/CD8 decreased in the treatment group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). During the course of treatment, mild diarrhea, nausea, and vomit occurred in two patients of the control group, while no adverse reaction occurred in those of the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONYQR could significantly improve clinical symptoms of MG patients, regulate their immune functions, with no obvious adverse reaction.