Traditional Chinese Medicine symptom characteristics and prescriptions in 196 patients with COVID-19 from Wanzhou, Chongqing

Objective: Clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients differ in regions. Our objective is to explore the characteristics of TCM symptoms and prescriptions of COVID-19 patients in Wanzhou area of Chongqing. Methods: We investigated hospitalized cases of COVID-19 in Wanzhou, Chongqing. The primary outcomes of interest were TCM symptoms and prescriptions, while the secondary outcomes included chest computed tomography (CT), white blood cell counts, lymphocyte levels, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.Results: Among the 196 included patients with COVID-19, the top five TCM symptoms were: poor appetite (82.14%), cough (65.31%), fatigue (17.86%), aversion to cold (16.84%), and fever (17.35%). Their five most common TCM prescriptions were: Sashen Radix Ophipodonis Decoction (38.22%), Sijunzi Decoction (37.7%), Maxing Shigan Decoction (31.94%), Sanren Decoction (15.71%), and Xiaochaihu Decoction (12.04%). Participants’ TCM symptom scores before hospital discharge were lower than on admission (P < 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences in white blood cell counts, lymphocyte levels, and CRP levels before or after discharge from hospital as compared with before admission (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The dominant clinical symptoms of patients with COVID-19 in Chongqing were poor appetite, cough, and fatigue, which may be related to the geography and climate of Wanzhou. The TCM prescriptions given to the patients were consistent with their most common symptoms and the fact that the lung and spleen are the main viscera invaded by COVID-19. Traditional Chinese Medicine had a positive effect on patients with COVID-19.