RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects between electroacupuncture (EA) plus western medicine and simple western medicine in improving clinical symptoms and local joint function of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with yin deficiency of Liver and Kidney. METHODS: A total of 68 RA patients of yin deficiency of Liver and Kidney were equally randomized into EA+medication group and medication group (n=34 in each group). Both groups were given once-a-week methotrexate (7.5 mg/time) and once-a-day leflunomide (10 mg/time), while EA+medication group was additionally treated by EA at bilateral Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Xuanzhong (GB 39), Zusanli (ST 36), Taichong (LR 3), Hegu (LI 4) 3 times/week. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS, for assessing rest pain), swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), patient's global assessment (PGA), physician's global assessment (PhGA), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scoring, 28 joints activity index (disease activity score, DAS 28), American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR 20, i.e. 20% of clinical improving rate), and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) were assessed and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were examined for comparison. RESULTS: Statistical differences were observed in before-after-treatment comparisons in both groups in reducing rest pain, SJC, TJC, serum CRP content, PGA and PhGA, HAQ scoring and DAS 28 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The ESR in the medication group and TCM symptom scoring of the EA+medication group were also significantly decreased after the treatment (P<0.05).The effects of the EA+medication group were superior to those of the medication group in reducing rest pain, SJC, TJC, TCM symptom and HAQ score, and the total effetive rate (P<0.05,90.9% vs 66.67%). Adverse reactions as pharyngeal obstruction sensation, anorexia, abdominal distension, etc. can be reduced by EA therapy coordinated with western medicine. CONCLUSIONS: EA is effective in relieving symptom and joint function in RA patients with yin deficiency of Liver and Kidney.