Evaluation of the Efficacy of Auricular Acupoint Pressure Patch Combined with Modified Huangqi Decoction in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy

Objective:To explore the efficacy of auricular acupoint pressure patch combined with modified Huangqi Decoction in treating diabetic nephropathy.Methods:60 patients with diabetic nephropathy treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected for this study.The patients were randomly divided into two groups using the random number table method,with 30 patients in each group.Among them,the control group was treated with conventional Western medicine,while the experimental group was treated with auricular acupoint pressure patches combined with modified Huangqi Decoction.The patients’fasting blood glucose(FPG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),urinary protein quantification,urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),and other indicators were detected and recorded before and after treatment.Results:Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the FPG,the 2hPG,and the HbA1c between the two groups of patients(P>0.05);after treatment,the FPG,the 2hPG,and the HbA1c of the patients in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).Before treatment,there was no statistically significant difference in the urinary protein quantification,the BUN,and the SCr between the two groups of patients(P>0.05);after treatment,the urinary protein quantification,BUN,and SCr of the patients in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group showed better improvement in symptoms such as fatigue,backache,and frequency of nocturia(P<0.05).Conclusion:Auricular acupoint pressure patch combined with modified Huangqi Decoction effectively treats diabetic nephropathy and it helps control blood sugar and renal function indicators and improve clinical symptoms,therefore improving the patients’quality of life.

Acupoint Herbal Patching with or without Conventional Treatment for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Acupoint herbal patching(AHP) alone or as an adjuvant therapy with conventional treatment(CT) has been widely used for prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). However, current clinical evidence from a systematic review of RCTs is lacking.Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of AHP with or without CT for people with COPD at stable stage.Methods: We searched randomized controlled trials comparing AHP(with or without CT) with no intervention, placebo, or CT from six databases. Two authors selected studies, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias of included trials. Rev Man 5.2 software was used to analysis data.Results: Twenty one RCTs(2327 participants) were included. AHP of non sanfu applied on no fixed dates with CT significantly decreased the mean frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD(times per year)(MD:-1.24; 95% CI:-2.02 to-0.46; 2 trials), and improved lung function parameters and quality of life. The AHP with CT showed no better effect in 6-minute walking distance(6 MWD) that CT alone. AHP applied at sanfu(specific dates based on lunar calendar) with CT had significant effect for 6 MWD(MD: 11.20; 95% CI: 0.83 to 21.56; I^2= 0%;3 trials). One trial reported skin irritation from AHP. Another trial reported two patients had eye discomfort, which was inferred as the adverse effects of seretide.Conclusion: AHP used as an adjunct to CT, appears to be more effective than CT alone in patients with stable COPD. However, further large,rigorously designed trials are warranted to confirm these potential effects.