Rabu, 28 Januari 2009

Clinical study on therapeutic effect of acupuncture on Behcet's disease

By: Peng, Yu

Behcet's disease, a severe type of recurrent aphthous ulcers, is treated with the administration of corticosteroids and immunosuppressives in Western medicine, but there is a very high recurrence rate. This study looked at the comparative effects of acupuncture treatment in 26 cases and Western drugs in 20 cases treated with this condition. Among the 26 cases in the treatment group, 12 were male and 14 female, ranging in age from 30 to 46 years. The shortest duration of disease was 5 years, and the longest, 28 years. Of the 20 cases in the control group, 9 were male and 11 female, ranging in age from 30 to 45 years. The shortest duration of disease was 5 years, and the longest, 27 years. The location and size of the ulcers were similar in patients of the two groups. The differences in the levels of IgA, IgM, IgE, IgG, C3 and [C.sub.4], and microelements such as Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mg were not statistically significant between the patients of the two groups (P>0.05). In the treatment group, auricular points unilateral Kou (mouth), Gan (Liver), and Shen (Kidney) were pricked with a three-edged needle to let out 1-2 drops of blood. The treatment was given once every two days, with points on the right and left ear used alternately. 3 sessions constituted one therapeutic course. Patients were usually given two courses of treatment. For body acupuncture, No. 28 needles of 2-cun in length were inserted into Taixi KID-3, Ganshu BL-18 and Shenshu BL-23, and then the handles of the needles were connected to a G6805 electroacupuncture stimulator for 30 minutes at 3v output voltage and 80 Hz frequency. The treatment was given once daily, with 10 sessions constituting one therapeutic course. Most patients were given two courses of treatment with an interval of two days between courses. In the control group, transfer factor (2ml) was subcutaneously injected once every week, with 5 sessions (35 days) constituting a course of treatment. In addition, dexamethasone tablet was orally administered in a dose of 0.75 mg t.i.d, with chlorotetracycline ointment applied topically. Results of the treatment were classified as follows. Cured: Disappearance of the triad of uveitis, oral ulcers, genital ulcers and other symptoms after two courses of treatment, with no recurrence in a 12-month follow-up period. Effective: Disappearance of the same symptoms, but with a recurrence at a longer interval, that is, within one year. Ineffective: No improvement noticed in the duration of onset and the interval of the recurrence after spontaneous extinction of the ulcers. Results: Of 26 cases treated by acupuncture, 19 were cured, 5 effective, and 2 ineffective, compared with 2, 16 and 2 respectively of the 20 control group cases. The total effective rate in the treatment group was 92.3% and that in the control group, 90.0%, with no difference in total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the cure rate of 73.1% in the treatment group was significantly higher than the cure rate of 10.0% in the control group (P<0.01). The electroacupuncture also appeared to have a role in enhancing the absorption and reducing the excretion of plasma Zn as higher levels of zinc were found in the patients with the best remission of symptoms.

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