OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment and medication on acute gouty arthritis (AGA), so as to search for a therapeutic method for treatment of gout with renal insufficiency.

METHODSNinety cases of AGA were randomly divided into an EA group, an allopurinol group and a probenecid group, 30 cases in each group. The EA group were treated by EA at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fenglong (ST 40), Yinlingquan (SP 9), once a day; the allopurinol group by oral administration of Allopurinol, twice a day, 100 mg each time and the probenecid group by oral administration of Probenecid, twice daily, 0.25 g each time. Contents of blood uric acid (BUA) and urinary uric acid (UUA) in each group were detected.

RESULTSIn all groups, there were significant differences in BUA and UUA levels before and after treatment (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the EA group and the allopurinol group in blood uric acid level after treatment (P > 0.05) and there was no significant difference between the EA group and the probenecid group in the urinary innary uric acid level (P > 0.05). Comparison of therapeutic effects among the 3 groups indicated that the mean rank was 56.23 in the EA group, 43.17 in the allopurinol group and 37.10 in the probenecid group, indicating that the therapeutic effect in the EA group was better than that in the allopurinol group, and the allopurinol group was better than that in the probenecid group.

CONCLUSIONEA can reduce the production of uric acid and promote the excretion of uric acid and has a better treatment effect. And there are no harmful effects on renal function. EA is an effective therapeutic method for treatment of gout with renal insufficiency.