OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect in treatment of the recurrent allergic (Henoch-Schönlein) purpura and prevention of renal impairment by means of integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM).

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-six children with allergic purpura were randomly divided into the treated group (Based on the Western routine therapy of the control group, Kangmin Xiaoban Yin, a kind of TCM decoction, was added for 7-10 days) and the control group. Levels of urinary beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) and serum IgA, IgE were measured before and after treatment. And clinical observation on the disappearance time (DT) of abdominal pain, arthralgia and purpura were implemented.

RESULTSThe DT of joint swelling, arthralgia, and purpura in the treated group was shorter than those in the control group, showing significant difference (P<0.01). Comparison between groups in urinary beta2-MG and serum IgA and IgE before treatment and 1 week after treatment were insignificantly different (P>0.05), but at 1 month and 6 months after treatment, the level of urinary beta2-MG in the treated group was lower than that in the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05), and levels of serum IgA and IgE at 1 month after treatment in the former were lower than those in the control group, also showing significant difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). Six-month recurreat rate in the treated group was 23.5%, while that in the control group. There was significant difference in comparison in 1/2-year recurrent rate (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONICWM in treating allergic purpura could reduce the repeated episodes and shorten the hospitalization time, and effectively prevent the renal impairment of the disease.