OBJECTIVETo assess the impact of Paidu Baoshen Pill (PBP, modified Dahuang Zhechong Pill), in retarding the procession of chronic renal failure (CRF) of stage II-III.

METHODSThe 283 patients of CRF stage II-III were randomly assigned to two groups, 151 patients in the treatment group treated with oral administration of PBP 3 g twice a day, and 132 patients in the control group with oxidative amylase aldehyde enveloped capsule 5-10 capsules thrice a day after meal. The course for both groups was 2 months, and the changes after 1 or 2 courses treatment in scoring of quality of life (QOL) and clinical symptoms, also in laboratory indexes including serum levels of creatinine (Cr), urea nitrogen (UN), and intrinsic creatinine clearance rate were observed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 70. 86% (107/151 cases) in the treatment group and 44.70% (59/132 cases) in the control group, showing significant difference between them (X2 = 18.69, P < 0.01). Significant differences between groups were also shown in comparisons of scores of QOL and clinical symptoms after treatment. Inter-group comparison showed no difference in all the three indexes detected before treatment, but they did show statistical significance respectively after 1 and 2 courses of treatment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPBP could effectively retard the progression of chronic renal failure and significantly improve the QOL of patients.