Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy

recurrence rate and safety of modified Xiao Chaihutang

a classical prescription of traditional Chinese medicine

in the treatment of subacute thyroiditis (SAT). Method:Ninety eligible SAT patients were randomly divided into treatment group (46 cases) and control group (44 cases). The patients in treatment group were treated with Xiao Chaihutang plus forsythia decoction

1 dose per day

while the patients in control group took the therapy of glucocorticoids only

with a treatment course of 12 weeks for both groups. The clinical efficacy

pain relief

time to pain disappearance

fever clearance time

recurrence rate and adverse events

long term incidence of hypothyroidism. Result:After 2 weeks' treatment

both treatment group and control group showed significant decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)(P<0.01)

and ESR in treatment group was slightly higher than that in control group

with no statistical differences between two groups. After 12 weeks' treatment

both groups showed significant decrease in ESR(P<0.01)

and the ESR in treatment group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05); the time to pain relief in the treatment group was longer than that in control group (P<0.05)

and the time to pain disappearance was shorter than that in control group

with no statistical differences; the fever clearance time in treatment group was slightly shorter than that in control group with no statistical differences between two groups. The total effective rate was 97.83% in treatment group

higher than 83.33% in control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events was 2.17% in treatment group

slightly lower than 6.82% in control group

but with no statistical differences between two groups. 6 months after treatment

the recurrence rate was 2.17% in treatment group

lower than 14.29% in control group. The incidence of hypothyroidism was 4.35% in treatment group

lower than 9.52% in control group

but with no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusions:As compared with glucocorticoids therapy

modified Xiao Chaihutang plus forsythia has more significant efficacy in the treatment of SAT

showing better compliance

higher safety and lower recurrence rate.