Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Linggui Zhugan Decoction combined with acupuncture therapy on salivary gland and lacrimal gland secretion function, and immune function in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
METHODS From October 2020 to January 2023, a cohort of 141 patients diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome was recruited at Hebei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Using a random number table method, the patients were allocated into 4 groups: western medicine control group, herbal medicine control group, acupuncture control group, and acupuncture combined with herbal medicine treatment group. The lacrimal gland secretion function, saliva flow rate, symptom severity, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, immune function, clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared among the 4 groups.
RESULTS At 2 and 3 months post-treatment, the lacrimal gland secretion function and salivary flow rate significantly improved in all 4 patient groups compared to pre-treatment levels. The group treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine demonstrated notably higher lacrimal gland secretion function and salivary flow rate in comparison to the acupuncture control group, herbal medicine control group, and western medicine control group. All 4 patient groups showed significant reductions in EULAR Sjögren's syndrome patient reported index(ESSPRI), EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index(ESSDAI) scores, traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), and immunoglobulin G(IgG) compared to pre-treatment values. The acupuncture combined with herbal medicine treatment group exhibited significantly lower ESSPRI scores, ESSDAI scores, traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores, ESR, and IgG compared to the acupuncture control group, herbal medicine control group, and western medicine control group. After 3 months’ treatment, the overall effective rate for the acupuncture combined with herbal medicine treatment group was 94.29%, significantly higher than that of the acupuncture control group(60.00%), herbal medicine control group(65.71%), and western medicine control group(61.11%), with statistically significant differences(χ2=13.209, P=0.004). During the treatment period, the total incidence of adverse reactions in the acupuncture combined with herbal medicine treatment group was 14.29%, slightly higher than that of the acupuncture control group(8.33%), herbal medicine control group(5.71%), and western medicine control group(8.33%), but without statistically significant differences(χ2=1.638, P=0.651).
CONCLUSION The combined therapy of Linggui Zhugan Decoction and acupuncture exhibits substantial efficacy in enhancing salivary and lacrimal gland secretion, mitigating clinical symptoms, diminishing traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, correcting immune function, and augmenting clinical effectiveness. Moreover, this therapeutic approach has demonstrated safety and warrants further investigation through meticulous clinical research and broader implementation.