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Kampo therapy for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (report 2): Gradual decrease in KL‐6
Author(s) -
Homma Yukihiko,
Ohtsuka Yoshinori
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
traditional and kampo medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2053-4515
DOI - 10.1002/tkm2.1224
Subject(s) - kampo , medicine , idiopathic interstitial pneumonia , pneumonia , gastroenterology , lung , significant difference , interstitial pneumonia , pathology , alternative medicine
Aim In a previous unpublished study, we reported that Kampo therapy improved the prognosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). KL‐6 is also associated with the inflammatory process of the alveolar unit, including type II epithelial cells. In this study, we measured KL‐6 as an index of the alveolar wall destruction in the progression of IIP. Methods Of the 59 patients who initially participated in the previous study, KL‐6 was evaluated during the follow‐up period and compared with that at baseline in 18 patients. Results KL‐6 gradually decreased during the follow‐up period, although the difference was not significant on two‐way repeated measures ANOVA. Conclusion Kampo therapy could be effective in improving the prognosis of IIP, partly due to inhibition of lung inflammation.