Objective: To observe the changes of symptom scores and serum IgE level after treatment with thick-needle subcutaneous penetration of Shendao (GV 11) in chronic urticaria patients.
Methods: A total of 60 chronic urticaria patients were randomly divided into acupuncture group (n = 30) and medication group (n = 30). Subcutaneous penetrative needling was applied to GV 11 with thick acupuncture needle (retained for 4 h/time, once daily, 5 times/week) for patients of acupuncture group and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride tablets (5 mg/time, once daily in the first two weeks, then, once every other day in the 3rd and 41th weeks, and once every 3 days in the last two weeks) were given to patients of medication group. Serum IgE content was assayed before and 2,6, 12 weeks after the treatment by chemiluminescent technique. Symptom scores were obtained by "0-3 four levels assessment" method in the light of the size of the wheal and the itching severity.
Results: Self-comparison indicated that the symptom scores and serum IgE levels declined significantly (P < 0.01) 2 and 6 weeks (Wks) after the treatment in both acupuncture and medication groups,and 12 Wks after the treatment in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01). Comparison between two groups showed that the symptom score and serum IgE content of acupuncture group were significant lower than those of medication group 12 Wks after the treatment (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between two groups in the symptom scores and serum IgE levels before, 2 and 6 Wks after the treatment (P > 0.05). A positive correlation exists between the symptom score and the serum IgE level before and after the treatment in both groups.
Conclusion: Thick-needle subcutaneous penetration of Shendao (GV 11) can effectively improve clinical symptoms of chronic urticaria patients, which may be closely related to its effect in lowering peripheral blood IgE level.