ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect in treatment of the recurrent allergic (Henoch-Schönlein) purpura and prevention of renal impairment by means of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and seventy-six children with allergic purpura were randomly divided into the treated group (Based on the Western routine therapy of the control group, Kangmin Xiaoban Yin, a kind of TCM decoction, was added for 7-10 days) and the control group. Levels of urinary beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) and serum IgA, IgE were measured before and after treatment. And clinical observation on the disappearance time (DT) of abdominal pain, arthralgia and purpura were implemented.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The DT of joint swelling, arthralgia, and purpura in the treated group was shorter than those in the control group, showing significant difference (P<0.01). Comparison between groups in urinary beta2-MG and serum IgA and IgE before treatment and 1 week after treatment were insignificantly different (P>0.05), but at 1 month and 6 months after treatment, the level of urinary beta2-MG in the treated group was lower than that in the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05), and levels of serum IgA and IgE at 1 month after treatment in the former were lower than those in the control group, also showing significant difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Six-month recurreat rate in the treated group was 23.5%, while that in the control group. There was significant difference in comparison in 1/2-year recurrent rate (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICWM in treating allergic purpura could reduce the repeated episodes and shorten the hospitalization time, and effectively prevent the renal impairment of the disease.</p>