Efficiency observation of Bushen Qingre Decoction combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis differentiated as type of kidney deficiency and dampness-heat

  Objective  To explore the clinical effect of Bushen Qingre Decoction combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis differentiated as type of kidney deficiency and dampness-heat.

  Methods  Totally 50 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were randomly divided into observation group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The control group was treated with western medicine, while the observation group was treated with Bushen Qingre Decoction combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine on the basis of the control group. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C reaction protein (CRP), morning stiffness time, the Schober test, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, finger-to-ground distance, score of TCM symptoms before and after treatment as well as efficiency and incidence rate of complications were compared between the two groups.

  Results  The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, morning stiffness time, VAS score, finger-to-ground distance and score of TCM symptom in both groups reduced significantly (P < 0.05), the Schober test results improved significantly (P < 0.05), and the changes of the above indicators in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of ESR and CRP in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

  Conclusion  Compared with western medicine, implementation of Bushen Qingre Decoction combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine on the basis of Western medicine shows a significant effect in treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis differentiated as type of kidney deficiency and dampness-heat, which can improve the scores of TCM symptoms and the levels of inflammatory factors.