Clinical analysis for the acupuncture treatment in 42 cases of gouty renal damage.

72 cases with renal damage resulting from gout were separated into a treatment group of 42 cases (28 men and 14 women, average age 42.5) and a control group of 30 cases (21 men and 9 women, average age 43). Many patients had at least one additional complicating condition, such as acute or chronic arthritis, hypertension, diabetes or coronary heart disease. The main points selected for treatment were Shenshu BL-23, Zhongji REN-3, Guanyuan REN-4, Xuehai SP-10, Sanyinjiao SP-6 and Yongquan KID-1. These were divided into 2 groups and used alternately with uniform reinforcing reduction technique, with needle retention for 30 minutes after deqi. Treatment was given daily with 10 days constituting a course of treatment. Additional points were added: Quchi L.I.-11, Hegu L.I.-4, and Neiting ST-44 for patients with acute arthritis; Fengchi GB-20 and Taichong LIV-3 for dizziness; Neiguan P-6 and Shenmen HE-7 for an oppressed feeling in the chest and hypertension. The control group were given allopurinol, 100mg, 2-3 times daily; brufen was also given for those with swollen joints. The treatment group had significantly reduced levels of uric acid, blood creatinine, urea nitrogen and 24 hour urine protein content levels after treatment compared to the control group. The results for the treatment group were: 42 excellent (disappearance of symptoms and biochemical analyses within normal range), 21 effective (improvement in symptoms and in biochemistry), and 2 failed (no change), giving an effective rate of 95%. For the control group the figures were 3, 13 and 11 respectively; with an effective rate of 63%. The author also noted that the relapse rate was lower in the treatment group than in the control.