ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of enhanced external counterpulsation (ECP) in the treatment of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).Methods It was a case-control study.83 patients (166 eyes) of NPDR were randomly divided into ECP treatment group (ECP group) and conventional therapy group (drug group) by date of visit odd and even number,each with 42 patients of 84 eyes and 41 patients of 82 eyes respectively.The blood glucose,glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc),low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C),corrected visual acuity,stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and hemodynamic index such as peak systolic velocity (PSV),diastolic velocity (EDV),resistance index (RI) of ophthalmic artery (OA) and central retinal artery (CRA) were not statistically different between these two groups (P＞ 0.05).All patients were regularly educated for lifestyle management and diabetes mellitus.The following parameters were controlled by drugs including blood glucose＜8.0 mmol/L,HbA1c＜7.5 ％,blood pressure ＜140/90 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and LDL-C＜3.1 mmol/L.The ECP group received both ECP and medical treatments.The ECP parameters were gasbag pressure 0.35-0.45 kg/cm2,40 min/each time,1 time/d.35 days of ECP was one course,one course each year for 3 years.The treatment effectiveness was determined at the end of follow-up after 3 years of treatment.The blood glucose,HbA1c,blood pressure,LDL-C,visual acuity,fundus changes and hemodynamic index of OA and CRA before and after treatment were comparatively analyzed.Improved or stable visual acuity and fundus condition was judged as effective treatment.Results At latest follow up,the differences of blood glucose,HbA1c,blood pressure and LDL-C were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Compared to drug group,the PSV and EDV of OA and CRA were increased,but RI of OA and CRA was decreased in ECP group (P＜0.05).The vision effective ratio was 91.67％ and 30.49％ in ECP group and drug group respectively with a significant different (x2 =65.56,P＜0.05).The fundus effective ratio was 92.86％ and 48.78％ in ECP group and drug group respectively with a significant different (x2 =43.38,P＜ 0.05).During follow-up,1 eye (1.19％) progressed to proliferative DR (PDR) in ECP group,while 6 eyes (7.32％) progressed to PDR in drug group.The difference of PDR incidence rate between two groups was significant (x2 =3.87,P＜ 0.05).During the ECP treatment,there were 2 patients with small blisters in the skin of lower limb and cured finally.There were no other treatment-related complications.Conclusion ECP in the treatment for NPDR can improve PSV and EDV,reduce RI of OA and CRA;improve vision and fundus state,reduce the incidence of PDR.