Objective

2

To observe the clinical efficacy of combination therapy of wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion and point-to-point needle insertion with medical ozone penetrating injection for allergic rhinitis (AR) and its effect on inflammation-related indexes.

Methods

2

Thirty-one patients with persistent AR were enrolled. The patients received medical ozone injection at bilateral Yingxiang (LI20)-to-Shangyingxiang (EX-HN8)

and wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion at Dazhui (GV14)

twice a week (with a 3-day interval) for 4 consecutive weeks. The total nasal symptoms score (TNSS)

total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS)

rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ)

and rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) scores were evaluated before treatment

after treatment

and at the 8-week follow-up. Levels of eosinophil (EOS) count

immunoglobulin E (IgE)

interleukin (IL)-4

IL-6

and IL-17 were measured before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment

and the recurrence rate was assessed at follow-up.

Results

2

Compared with those before treatment

the TNSS

TNNSS

and RQLQ scores were decreased (

P

<

0.05)

while the RCAT score was increased (

P

<

0.05) after treatment and at follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in above indexes between the post-treatment and follow-up (

P

>

0.05). After treatment

the whole blood EOS count and serum levels of IgE

IL-4

IL-6

and IL-17 were decreased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05). After treatment

17 cases were markedly effective

12 cases were effective

and 2 cases were ineffective

resulting in a total effective rate of 93.5%. At follow-up

2 cases relapsed

and the recurrence rate was 6.9%.

Conclusion

2

Combination therapy of wheat-grained sized cone moxibustion and point-to-point needle insertion with medical ozone injection can improve AR symptoms

reduce the recurrence rate

and enhance the quality of life. The mechanism may be associated with the regulation of immune-related indexes.