Comparative efficacy and safety of NSAIDs-controlled acupuncture in the treatment of patients with primary dysmenorrhoea: a Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Abstract

BackgroundAcupuncture and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used frequently to treat primary dysmenorrhoea. However, it is unclear whether this treatment greatly reduces the risk of primary dysmenorrhoea.MethodsEight databases were searched up to January 2018. Pair-wise and network meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize data from eligible studies.ResultsSeventeen randomized controlled trials were included. The following acupuncture types showed more efficacy than NSAIDs in reducing primary dysmenorrhoea risk: traditional acupuncture (odds ratio [OR] = 6.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.60–20.0), eye acupuncture (OR = 3.50, 95% CI 1.40–8.90), wrist–ankle acupuncture (OR = 6.00, 95% CI 1.30–32.0), superficial acupuncture (OR= 5.10, 95% CI 1.20–26.0), moxibustion (OR = 7.70, 95% CI 2.90–25.0), electroacupuncture (OR = 23.0, 95% CI 4.80–130), ear acupuncture (OR = 13.0, 95% CI 2.80–100) and abdominal acupuncture (OR = 5.30, 95% CI 2.10–16.0). Surface under the cumulative ranking curve values were traditional acupuncture (53.0%), eye acupuncture (22.0%), wrist–ankle acupuncture (81.5%), superficial acupuncture (50.0%), moxibustion (57.8%), electroacupuncture (99.9%), ear acupuncture (41.6%) and abdominal acupuncture (44.1%).ConclusionAcupuncture is more efficacious than NSAIDs in reducing primary dysmenorrhoea risk. Acupuncture, particularly electroacupuncture, can decrease the risk of primary dysmenorrhoea.