Electroacupuncture for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction.@*METHODS@#A total of 100 patients with AECOPD complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction were randomly divided into an EA group (50 cases, 2 cases dropped off, 1 case excluded) and a medication group (50 cases). Both groups were treated with symptomatic and supportive treatment such as low flow oxygen, nebulized inhalation of short-acting β2 agonist (SABA) or short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA) combined with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The EA group was treated with EA at Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Tianshu (ST 25), Chize (LU 5) and Lieque (LU 7), with discontinuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 30 min each time, once a day. In the medication group, oral mosapride citrate tablets were given, 3 times a day, 5 mg each time. Both groups were treated for 5 d. Before and after treatment, the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) score was observe, serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) were detected, and patient satisfaction degree was evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with before treatment, except for diarrhea dimension in the medication group, the total scores and each dimension scores of GSRS were decreased (P<0.05), serum PCT and CRP were decreased (P<0.05), plasma PaO2/FiO2 was increased (P<0.05) in the two groups after treatment. After treatment, in the EA group, the total score and abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation and diarrhea scores of GSRS were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05), meanwhile serum PCT and CRP were lower and plasma PaO2/FiO2 was higher than those in the medication group (P<0.05). The improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms, life quality and overall satisfaction degree in the EA group were superior to those in the medication group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#EA could improve the symptoms of patients with AECOPD complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, reduce inflammatory response, improve oxygenation and patient satisfaction degree.

Analysis of the Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Uninvestigated Dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epidemiological studies suggest that there is a considerable overlap between functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to examine concurrent gastrointestinal symptoms in FD and IBS. METHODS: A total of 186 college students filled out a questionnaire regarding whether they had uninvestigated dyspepsia (UD, FD without endoscopic examination) and IBS based on Rome-II criteria. Gastrointestinal symptoms were measured using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 181 students (98 males, mean age 24.6 years) completed both questionnaires. The prevalence of UD, IBS, and UD+IBS overlap was 12 (6.7%), 40 (22.1%), and 8 (4.4%), respectively. A significant UD+IBS overlap was observed (66.7% IBS in UD, 20.0% UD in IBS). Reflux scores of GSRS in either UD or IBS were significantly greater than in those without. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), defined as weekly occurring moderate symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation and evaluated using the GSRS, was found in 16 (8.8%) of the subjects. The prevalence of IBS was significantly higher in GERD patients than in non-GERD patients (50.0% vs 19.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The considerable overlap not only between UD and IBS, but also between GERD and IBS, suggests the involvement of common pathophysiological disturbances in the two conditions.