Evaluation of the Efficacy of Auricular Acupoint Pressure Patch Combined with Modified Huangqi Decoction in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy

Abstract

Objective: To explore the efficacy of auricular acupoint pressure patch combined with modified Huangqi Decoction in treating diabetic nephropathy. Methods: 60 patients with diabetic nephropathy treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected for this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups using the random number table method, with 30 patients in each group. Among them, the control group was treated with conventional Western medicine, while the experimental group was treated with auricular acupoint pressure patches combined with modified Huangqi Decoction. The patients’ fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary protein quantification, urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and other indicators were detected and recorded before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the FPG, the 2hPG, and the HbA1c between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05); after treatment, the FPG, the 2hPG, and the HbA1c of the patients in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the urinary protein quantification, the BUN, and the SCr between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05); after treatment, the urinary protein quantification, BUN, and SCr of the patients in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The experimental group showed better improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, backache, and frequency of nocturia (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Auricular acupoint pressure patch combined with modified Huangqi Decoction effectively treats diabetic nephropathy and it helps control blood sugar and renal function indicators and improve clinical symptoms, therefore improving the patients’ quality of life.