Observation on the therapeutic effect of snake-like moxibustion combined with aconitum ointment in treating ankylosing spondylitis and its influence on ESR and serum inflammatory factors
摘要
To observe the clinical efficacy of snake-like moxibustion combined with aconitum ointment based on routine Western medication in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) of cold-dampness blockage pattern, and to evaluate its effects on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, serum Dickkopf-1 protein (DKK-1) level, and disease activity.
MethodsA total of 120 AS patients were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was treated with oral sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets as conventional therapy; the observation group was additionally treated with snake-like moxibustion combined with external application of aconitum ointment based on the intervention in the control group. After 4 weeks of consecutive treatment in both groups, the total effective rate was compared. Changes in TCM symptom scores, spinal pain visual analog scale (VAS) score, overall evaluation VAS score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and DKK-1 were observed.
ResultsThe total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of TCM symptoms, spinal pain VAS, overall evaluation VAS, BASDAI, and BASFI, as well as ESR, serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, and DKK-1 in both groups were lower than those before treatment, with statistically significant differences within groups (P<0.05); all indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences between groups (P<0.05).
ConclusionBased on routine Western medication treatment, the addition of snake-like moxibustion combined with external application of aconitum ointment yields better therapeutic efficacy than Western medication alone in the treatment of AS. It can significantly improve clinical symptoms, control inflammation, and down-regulate the serum DKK-1 level.