OBJECTIVE  To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Bailing tablet(fermented Cordyceps powder) in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).

METHODS  Electronic medical data were collected from patients diagnosed with CKD in the Outpatient Department or Inpatient Department of Nephrology, Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2023(consecutive samples). The patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to whether Bailing Tablets were used or not. The baseline differences between the two groups were eliminated using propensity score matching, and the efficacy differences between the two groups after 1 year treatment were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS  A total of 498 patients with stage 1−4 CKD who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. After propensity score matching, 249 patients were in the treatment group and 249 patients were in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline between the two groups. After 1 year treatment, the total effective rate, 24 h urinary protein and glomerular filtration rate in the treatment group were improved compared with those in the control group(P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that the effective rate of treatment was still better than the control group in male patients and the patients after stratification for age, disease duration, CKD stage, urinary protein quantification and uric acid level(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION Long-term combined use of Bailing tablet on the basis of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine can delay the deterioration of renal function, improve the stage of renal function, and reduce urinary protein, which has a better renal protective effect.