OBJECTIVETo observe effects of Yiqi Huoxue Qufeng Decoction (YHQD, with the actions of replenishing qi, activating blood, and dispelling wind) on diamine oxidase (DAO) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) of patients with chronic urticaria.

METHODSEighty-five chronic urticaria patients from the clinics of dermatology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomly assigned to the treatment group (50 cases) and the control group (35 cases). Besides, another 15 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy group. Patients in the treatment group took YHQD, one dose daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. Patients in the control group took Fuyang Granule (FYG), 6 g each time, three times daily. The therapeutic course for the two groups was 8 weeks. The effective rates of the two groups were observed after treatment and 2 months after quitting treatment. The levels of DAO and IgE were observed in the three groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe post-treatment recovery rate (20 cases, 44.0%) and the effective rate 2 months after quitting treatment (62.0%) were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (7 cases, 20.0%; 31.4%) with statistical difference (P<0.05). The DAO level in the two treatment groups (6.9 +/- 1.8 in the treatment group and 6.5 +/- 1.8 in the control group) was obviously higher than that in the healthy group (1.1 +/- 0.4), showing statistical difference (P<0.05). The post-treatment DAO and IgE both decreased in the treatment group and the control group when compared with before treatment in the same group. Those were lower in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONYHQD could improve the symptoms of chronic urticaria patients, ameliorate the intestines mucosa barrier function and the immunity.