OBJECTIVETo observe the difference in the clinical efficacy on female chronic pyelonephritis between abdominal cluster-needling therapy and western medicine so as to explore the optimal therapeutic method for the disease.

METHODSSeventy cases of female chronic pyelonephritis were randomized into an abdominal cluster-needling group and levofloxacin group, 35 cases in each one. In the abdominal cluster-needling group, the lower abdominal point was selected in combination with Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The treatment was given once a day and 10 treatments made one session. In the levofloxacin group, levofloxacin capsules were prescribed for oral administration, once a day. Three months later, the clinical efficacy was observed before and after treatment in two groups.

RESULTSThe curative rate was 65.7% (23/35) and the total effective rate was 100.0% (35/35) in the abdominal cluster-needling group. The curative rate was 22.9%, (8/35) and the total effective rate was 71.4% (25/35) in the levofloxacin group. The clinical efficacy in the abdominal cluster-needling group was superior to that in the levofloxacin group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abdominal cluster-needling therapy achieves the significant efficacy on female chronic pyelonephritis and it is the optimal therapy for the disease.