Research Progress on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Delaying Airway Remodeling of Chronic Bronchitis

慢性支气管炎(chronic bronchitis, CB)为临床多发的肺部疾病，以咳嗽、咳痰为主要的症状或伴有喘息，每年发病时间持续3个月或以上，并连续2年及2年以上为主要表现，其中慢性支气管炎急性发作期以急性喘息、咳嗽不止、咳咯脓痰多见，或伴有发热、口干、口苦、烦躁、胸满气短、小便短赤、舌苔黄腻等表现。目前，临床主要采取氨溴索等治疗，以有效溶解分泌物，保护呼吸道黏膜，促进黏液的排出，能改善机体的肺功能和呼吸状况，目前新兴的疗法包括生物制剂、靶向雾化治疗等，但是长时间服用易引起耐药性，易复发等问题，在临床上造成部分患者的困扰，我国中医药治疗慢性咳嗽与哮喘历史悠久经验丰富，在改善患者症状、减少复发率方面中医有独特的优势。Chronic bronchitis (CB) is a common pulmonary disorder in clinical practice, which is characterized by cough and expectoration, with or without wheezing. The clinical diagnostic criteria include annual episodes lasting for no less than three consecutive months for two consecutive years or more. The acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is predominantly manifested as acute wheezing, intractable cough and purulent sputum, accompanied by fever, dry mouth, bitter taste in the mouth, restlessness, chest fullness, shortness of breath, scanty dark urine, and yellow greasy tongue coating. At present, ambroxol and similar agents are commonly used clinically. Such drugs can effectively liquefy secretions, protect respiratory mucosa, facilitate mucus excretion, and improve pulmonary function and respiratory status. Emerging therapeutic approaches include biological agents and targeted atomization inhalation. Nevertheless, long-term medication easily leads to drug resistance and high recurrence rate, which brings troubles to a subset of patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China boasts a long history and abundant clinical experience in the treatment of chronic cough and asthma, and exhibits unique advantages in relieving clinical symptoms and lowering recurrence rates.