Analysis of evidence-based clinical practices on timing factor in acupuncture for facial paralysis

Objective By using the evidence-based medicine approach to analyze the optimum timing in acupuncture treatment for facial paralysis, to provide the scientific evidence for acupuncture clinical practices. Methods Computer searches were conducted in the CNKI literature database from January 1994 to August 2009, using the keywords ＂facial paralysis acupuncture＂ and ＂treating opportunity/acupuncture opportunity＂. According to the standard of Cochrane, the literatures were retrieved and conducted with evidence-based analysis. The SPSS 13.0 software was used for the statistical analysis. Results Among the 133 retrieved literatures which met the inclusion criteria of the study, there were 11 literatures on the effect of acupuncture or electroacupuncture treatment in acute stage observation group and conventional medical treatment group. Using Mann-Whitney U test, the difference of treatment effect is statistically significant （P〈0.001）. Conclusion Early intervention in acupuncture treatment for facial paralysis in acute stage can improve the efficacy and promote neurological recovery. In the acute stage, animal experiments and clinical observations provide evidence to support the application of electric needle and traditional acupuncture treatments.

Infliximab therapy and outcomes in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis:a single-center study in China

Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)is a chronic inflammatory disease that includes seven heterogeneous subgroups with different prognoses.In particular,polyarticular JIA(pJIA)has a longer period of active disease and a poorer prognosis.Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha inhibitors are effective in patients with pJIA,but the therapeutic regimen remains controversial.Here,we performed a single-center study to determine the potential correlation between TNF-alpha inhibitor(infliximab)therapy and outcomes in these patients.Methods Clinical data of 40 pJIA patients were collected at our center from January 1,2010 to January 1,2018,and patients were grouped according to the timing of infliximab therapy.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),the number of joints with active disease,and the 27-point juvenile arthritis disease activity score(JADAS-27)were analyzed.Results The ESR,the active joint count,and the JADAS-27 decreased significantly in all groups after 3 months(P=0.041/0.415/0.008,0.022/0.030/<0.001,and 0.05/0.012/<0.001,respectively)and 6 months(P=0.036/0.045/0.041,0.076/0.037/<0.001,and 0.096/0.006/<0.001,respectively)of infliximab treatment,although the rates of change of these parameters were similar.However,after 12 months,only patients treated with infliximab within 3 months of disease onset had a stable ESR,active joint count,and JADAS-27,while these parameters increased sharply when infliximab was administered 3 months and especially 1 year after disease onset.Conclusions TNF-alpha is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine of crucial importance in the pathogenesis of JIA.Infliximab can improve the outcomes of patients with pJIA significantly,and should be introduced early during the clinical course.