Clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture on hyperandrogenemia in polycystic ovary syndrome with kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness
LIU Xiaozhu 1,2, WANG Di 1, ZHOU Jing 1, WANG Yi 1, WANG Rumeng 1, HU Zhihai 1, MA Guizhi 1,2
(1. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shanghai TCMIntegrated Hospital, Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200082; 2. Clinical Faculty of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China)
Abstract:Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture on hyperandrogenism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness. Methods: A total of 68 patients of PCOS with kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness were randomly divided into observation group (34 cases, 2 cases dropped off ) and control group (34 cases, 1 case dropped off). The observation group was treated with electroacupuncture, and the control group was treated with comfort electroacupuncture. The levels of serum testosterone and androstenedione were detected before and 3 months after the intervention, and combined with hairy score, acne score, menstrual status score, biphasic rate of basal body temperature and TCM syndrome score index, the therapeutic effects between the two groups were compared. Results: After 3 months of intervention, the total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the levels of serum testosterone, androstendione, acne score and menstrual status score in the observation group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), but there was no difference in hirsutism score (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the biphasic rate of basal body temperature in the observation group was insignificant (P>0.05), after 1 month of intervention. After 2 months of intervention, the observation group was better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After 3 months of intervention, the biphasic rate of basal body temperature in the observation group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). After 3 months of electroacupuncture intervention, the acne score, menstrual status score, serum testosterone and androstendione levels were decreased in the observation group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in hirsute score compared with that before intervention (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in hairy score, acne score, menstrual status score, serum testosterone and androstenadione levels in control group after 3 months of placebo electroacupuncture intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can reduce the levels of serum testosterone and androstenadione, reduce acne score and menstrual condition score, improve biphase ratio of basal body temperature, hyperandrogenemia and clinical symptoms in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome with kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness.
[Key words]acupuncture therapy; electroacupuncture; kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness; polycystic ovary syndrome; hyperandrogenism; clinical efficacy