scholarly journals Effectiveness of Moxibustion for Allergic Rhinitis : a Systematic Review

Author(s):  
kaiyun pang

Abstract Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of moxibustion to the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of moxibustion to the treatment of AR was retrieved who search alone by two researchers in 31 August , 2021. The final 24 articles were retained by two other researchers based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Results: Moxibustion is effective in the treatment of AR among which heat-sensitive moxibustion has the most significant effect (P<0.00001) , followed by governor vessel moxibustion(P<0.0008), again is thunder fire moxibustion(P=0.003), the worst effect was herb-partitioned moxibustion(P=0.70). In the symptom subgroup comparison, moxibustion is effective in controlling sneezing(P=0.03) and runny nose(P=0.05), and the best is heat-sensitive moxibustion(P<0.00001) whether it is sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and nasal itching is the best. In the follow-up subgroup analysis, the efficacy of the follow-up of 3 months and 1 month was the same (P<0.00001) that the long-term efficacy of moxibustion for AR was better. In the IgE subgroup, moxibustion in the treatment of AR can make serum IgE down both after treatment(P<0.00001) and 6 months(P<0.0001). Conclusion: Moxibustion treatment of AR can not only improve the clinical symptoms of patients and control the attack, but also has a good long-term effect to prevent recurrence. Moxibustion treatment of AR heat-sensitive moxibustion effect is the best. Due to the limitations of this study, large-scale clinical high-quality randomized, a multi-center, controlled trial clinical study is needed in order to further verify our conclusions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Angela C. Umali ◽  
Antonio H. Chua

  Objective:  To determine if Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo can improve the symptoms of mild intermittent allergic rhinitis in comparison to loratadine and control tea.   Methods: Study Design:            Double blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Setting:                       Tertiary Government Training Hospital Subjects:                    Twenty-four patients diagnosed with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis from October 2015 to July 2016 were randomly divided into a treatment group given Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo, and a control group given control tea and loratadine, both taken for 7 days. Patients underwent pre–  and post–intervention evaluation by anterior rhinoscopy, Sino-nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) Questionnaire and 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were encoded and subjected to statistical analysis using Mann Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.   Results: Age and gender of the treatment and control group participants were comparable. Prior to intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between both groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores. After intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between the 2 groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores either. Comparison of pre- (30.4 ± 17.3) and post- (7.2 ± 6.5) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the loratadine control group with pre- (32.5 ± 23.7) and post- (7.8 ± 10.4) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups. Likewise, comparison of pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the loratadine control group and pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group based on symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and pruritus showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups (p-values of < .001).                         Conclusion: Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, and nasal congestion) and be taken as an alternative to loratadine in patients with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis. Further clinical trials with more participants may provide stronger evidence for this conclusion.   Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, tsaang gubat, ehretia microphylla, loratadine    


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Sun ◽  
Bing Ma ◽  
Xiaomei Wu ◽  
Hailong Wang ◽  
Bo Zhou

Background: Salt substitute, a strategy for salt reduction, has been shown to decrease blood pressure and the incidence of hypertension. However, whether its hypotensive effect will reduce long-term mortality remains unclear. Our study reported an exploratory follow-up of mortality outcomes from previous randomized controlled trial to assess the long-term effect of low-sodium salt on total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.Methods: Participants who completed a previous 3-year double-blind randomized controlled trial were followed up from 2009 to 2019 to collect mortality data. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to evaluate the association between low-sodium salt intervention and all-cause and CVD mortality.Results: Four hundred and forty participants completed the intervention trial, of which 428 participants had death outcome data recorded after 10 years follow-up: 209 in a salt substitute group and 219 in a normal salt group. Fifty participants died during follow-up, 25 died due to CVD. No significant differences in relative risks were found for all-cause mortality [HR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.46–1.42] and CVD mortality (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.26–1.32) in unadjusted analyses. After adjusted with age and alcohol drinking status, there were significant reductions for stroke mortality among all participants (HR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08–0.84) and for CVD mortality (HR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16–0.92) and stroke mortality (HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08–0.82) among hypertensive participants.Conclusions: Compared to normal salt, salt substitute might reduce the risk of CVD death, especially stroke among hypertensive patients. Our exploratory follow-up results provide potential evidence that low-sodium salt may be an accessible and effective strategy for prevention of CVD events, but definitive randomized controlled trials are warranted.


2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping-Nam Wong ◽  
Kin-Yee Lo ◽  
Gensy M.W. Tong ◽  
Shuk-Fan Chan ◽  
Man-Wai Lo ◽  
...  

Objective Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), being associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The role of nystatin prophylaxis during antibiotic therapy in the prevention of FP remains controversial, especially in programs with a modest or low baseline FP rate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nystatin prophylaxis on the occurrence of FP in programs with a relatively modest baseline FP rate. Patients and Methods Incident and prevalent patients receiving CAPD between April 1995 and April 2005 at our center were included and divided into 2 groups. The control group included 320 patients (total follow-up 8875 patient-months) being treated without nystatin before October 1999; the nystatin group included 481 patients (total follow-up 13725 patient-months) being treated after October 1999. Nystatin tablets (500000 units, 4 times per day) were given orally during whatever use of antibiotics to cover the whole course of antibiotic therapy. Occurrence of FP and antibiotic-related FP (AR-FP) in patients with and without nystatin prophylaxis was compared. Results The two groups were of similar age but the nystatin group had a significantly higher percentage of diabetics. In addition, the nystatin group had a higher proportion of patients using disconnecting twin-bag exchange systems and had a significantly lower peritonitis rate compared with the control. There were 13 and 14 episodes of FP in the nystatin and control groups respectively. The fungal peritonitis rate of the nystatin group was slightly lower than that of the control group (0.011 vs 0.019 per patient-year) but it did not reach statistical significance. There was, however, a significant decrease in the incidence and proportion of AR-FP in the nystatin group compared with the control group, which persisted even after adjustment for the peritonitis rate. Kaplan–Meier analysis further demonstrated significantly better AR-FP-free survival in the nystatin group compared with the control group. No significant side effects were observed for nystatin. Subgroup analyses in patients of the 2 different connecting systems revealed a similar but nonsignificant trend toward reduction of AR-FP in patients given nystatin prophylaxis. Conclusion Oral nystatin prophylaxis might prevent the occurrence of AR-FP in CAPD patients, resulting in a trend toward reduction in the incidence of FP even in programs with a modest baseline FP rate. A large scale, prospective, randomized controlled trial is needed to further examine this issue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3504-3504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T. Seymour ◽  
Dion Morton ◽  

3504 Background: NAC is well established in many solid tumours but has not undergone large-scale evaluation in colon cancer. Methods: Pts had operable, non-obstructed colon cancer; CT-predicted stage T3-4, N0-2, M0, and were fit for FOLFOX and surgery. They were randomised 2:1 to the novel sequence (6 wk FOLFOX NAC, then surgery, then 18 wk FOLFOX) or control (surgery then 24 wk FOLFOX). RAS-wt pts allocated to the novel arm could optionally be sub-randomized 1:1 to ± panitumumab (pan) during the NAC phase. Two "dealer’s choices" allowed total chemo duration 12 wk instead of 24 (in older/low-risk pts) and OxCap in place of FOLFOX (except in pts randomized ± pan). Primary endpoint is freedom from recurrent or persistent disease after 2 yrs, by ITT. Secondary endpoints include safety, histological stage, completeness of resection, OS. Results: 1052 pts were randomised, Jun 2008-Dec 2016, at 85 centres in UK, Denmark and Sweden. Conclusions: NAC was well tolerated and safe, with no increase in perioperative morbidity and a trend toward fewer serious postoperative complications. Evidence of histological regression was seen in 59% pts after NAC, including some pCRs. This resulted in marked histological downstaging and a halving of the rate of incomplete resections. We observed an improvement in 2-yr failure rate (HR=0.77), but this fell short of statistical significance (p=0.11). NAC for colon cancer improves surgical outcomes and can now be considered as a treatment option; longer follow-up and further trials are required to confirm the long-term benefits, refine its use and optimise case selection. Clinical trial information: 87163246. [Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Alkilzy ◽  
Rama Midani ◽  
Margarita Höfer ◽  
Christian Splieth

Objectives: Performing proper toothbrushing is a complicated process for children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a smartphone app for improving manual toothbrushing via a gravitation sensor. Methods: In this prospective, controlled, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial, 49 children (mean age 5.1 ± 0.6 years, 27 female) were randomly assigned to test (n = 26) and control (n = 23) groups. All children were provided with manual toothbrushes with an integrated gravitation sensor and they received oral health instructions. Only the children of the test group got an additional smartphone app to visualize and reward proper brushing in form and time. At baseline and recalls after 6 and 12 weeks, plaque and gingival indices (QHI, PBI) were recorded for analysis between the two groups. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the test and control group regarding plaque and gingival indices (QHI: 2.36 ± 0.7 and 2.42 ± 0.8; p = 0.94; PBI: 0.42 ± 0.2 and 0.47 ± 0.3; p = 0.59). At the 6- and 12-week recalls, the test group showed statistically ­significantly better oral health indices than the controls (6-week recall, QHI: 0.8 ±0.5 and 1.88 ± 0.9; p < 0.001; PBI: 0.08 ± 0.1 and 0.26 ± 0.2; p < 0.001; 12-week recall, QHI: 0.44 ± 0.5 and 1.49 ± 0.7; p < 0.001; PBI: 0.05 ± 0.18 and 0.21 ± 0.1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results highlight the enormous possibilities of a toothbrushing application via the smartphone, at least for medium-term oral hygiene improvement in preschool children and even after excluding the app. The long-term effect should also be investigated to exclude the expected novelty effect.


Nephron ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gianmarco Sabiu ◽  
Manuel Alfredo Podestà

<b><i>Context:</i></b> Membranous nephropathy (MN) is an immune-mediated glomerular disease that can lead to nephrotic syndrome and progressive kidney function loss. The cyclic steroid-cyclophosphamide regimen (the modified Ponticelli protocol) and the monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab have been advocated as effective therapies to improve renal outcomes, but a direct comparison of these treatments had never been carried out in a prospective study. <b><i>Subject of Review:</i></b> Scolari et al. [<i>J Am Soc Nephrol</i>. 2021;32:972–82] recently reported the results of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RI-CYCLO) designed to provide direct estimates of the effect of rituximab (1 g × 2) compared to the cyclic steroid-cyclophosphamide regimen in 74 patients with MN. The proportion of patients with complete remission at 12 months was higher in the cyclic regimen arm than that of rituximab (32 and 16%, respectively), but the difference was not statistically significant in intention-to-treat analyses. Interestingly, differences in the cumulative incidence of complete and partial remissions between treatment arms progressively reduced over the follow-up and became virtually nonexistent from 24 months (&#x3e;80% in both groups). The frequency of serious and nonserious adverse events was similar between the 2 treatment arms. Infusion reactions and drug discontinuation were more common with rituximab, while infections and leukopenia were more frequently observed with the cyclic regimen. The risk of cancer was similar in the 2 allocation groups, but the limited follow-up length did not allow to draw definitive conclusions. Independent of treatment allocation, 18% of patients experienced at least 1 relapse after achieving complete or partial remission. <b><i>Second Opinion:</i></b> Notwithstanding the intrinsic limitations of a pilot study, the RI-CYCLO trial represents an important milestone in the treatment of MN. Findings from this study support the hypothesis that the cyclic regimen and rituximab may have comparable efficacy in inducing disease remission over the long term. Considering its potentially better–albeit not yet formally proven–long-term safety profile, rituximab could be considered as a first-line therapy for most patients with MN. Several questions remain to be addressed, including rituximab ideal dose and its efficacy in patients with a significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate. In light of RI-CYCLO results, a large-scale trial to assess rituximab noninferiority to the cyclic regimen would require the enrollment of thousands of patients, and it would be probably unfeasible within a reasonable time frame. In our opinion, resources should be allocated to provide an answer to the pressing matter of treatment nonresponse and intolerance, which may be addressed in the near future with novel therapeutic strategies.


Maturitas ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Kirsi Mansikkamäki ◽  
Jani Raitanen ◽  
Clas-Håkan Nygård ◽  
Eija Tomás ◽  
Reetta Rutanen ◽  
...  

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