Objective  To observe the clinical effect of Qingfei Decoction for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)differentiated as phlegm-heat accumulation in lung.

  Methods  A total of 72 AECOPD patients with phlegm-heat accumulation were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, with 36 cases per group. The control group was given routine treatment, such as anti-inflammation, spasmolysis, and phlegm relieving, and the treatment group was additionally given Qingfei Decoction on the basis of the control group for 1 dose per day. The course of treatment of both groups was 14 days. The clinical symptoms, signs, improvement of lung function and safety evaluation of the two groups before and after treatment were observed.

  Results  The total scores of symptoms in the treatment group were significantly better than of the control group; the clinical symptoms of the two groups were significantly improved after treatment, but the improvement of the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05); the treatment group had better comprehensive treatment efficacy than the control group(P < 0.01); there were no between-group and intra-group significant differences in lung function before and after treatment (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Qingfei Decoction has a definite clinical effect for AECOPD patients differentiated as phlegm-heat accumulating, which can improve their health status and activity endurance.