Clinical study of acupuncture and massage combined with sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of acupuncture and massage combined with sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its influence on bone mineral density and serum MMP-3. Methods A total of 88 AS patients who met the criteria were divided into two groups by the random number table method, 44 cases in each group. The control group was treated with sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets, while the observation group was treated with acupuncture and massage on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 6 months and followed up for 6 months. TCM syndromes were scored before and after treatment. The Bone Glaprotein (BGP), hematocrit (Hct), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), CRP and TNF-α were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The bone mineral content of lumbar spine, trochanter and whole body were measured by DPX-NT X-ray bone mineral density analyzer. The quality of life (QOL) was assessed by four items in the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36), including physiological function, physical pain, social function and mental health. The clinical efficacy was evaluated and the recurrence rate was recorded. Results After treatment, the BGP, ALP, MMP-3, CRP, TNF-α and somatic pain scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t value were 9.561, 7.983, 9.641, 7.027, 3.488, 4.146, all Ps<0.01), while the Hct, BMD (lumbar spine 1-4, large rotor, whole body), physiological function, social function and mental health scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t value were 8.057, 2.341, 4.482, 4.200, 8.469, 9.210, 8.608, P<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.5% (42/44) higher than 77.3% (34/44) of the control group (χ2=4.728, P=0.029); There was no significant difference in recent recurrence rate between the two groups (4.8% in the observation group and 11.8% in the control group, χ2=0.435, P=0.509). Conclusions TCM massage combined with acupuncture can significantly improve the level of bone metabolism, increase bone mineral density, reduce the levels of MMP-3, CRP and TNF-α, and improve the quality of life. Key words: Spondylitis, ankylosing; Acupuncture moxibustion therapy; Tui Na therapy; Bone density; Quality of life