OBJECTIVETo compare the effects between mild moxibustion and specific electromagnetic spectrum therapy apparatus (TDP) for obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints.

METHODSSixty patients were randomly divided into a mild moxibustion group and a TDP group, 30 cases in each one. In the mild moxibustion group, pure moxa sticks were used at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. In the TDP group, TDP was applied at the affected digital joints locally for 20-30 min a time. The treatment was given once a day for two courses, and 10-day treatment was made into a course. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, swelling degree of the affected digital joints before and after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTSThe excellent rate was 56.7% (17/30) and the excellent and, good rate was 83.4% (25/30) in the mild moxibustion group,which were better than 36.7% (11/30) and 76.7% (23/30) in the TDP group respectively (both P < 0.01). After treatment the score of VAS and digital joints swelling degree were improved than those before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the improvements of the mild moxibustion group were better than those of the TDP group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMild moxibustion can apparently relieve the painful and swelling degree of obsolete collateral ligament injury of interphalangeal joints, which is superior to TDP.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; therapy ; Magnetic Field Therapy ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pain Measurement ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo perform a comparative analysis of the reactivation rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and related risk factors after treatment of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or hepatic resection.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the HBV reactivation rate and related risk factors of a cohort of 218 patients treated for HBV-related HCC between August 2008 and August 2011; the study population consisted of 125 patients who received RFA and 93 patients who received hepatic resection. Comparisons were made using the unpaired Student's t-test for continuous variables and the x2-test and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors.

RESULTSTwenty patients showed HBV reactivation following treatment, but the incidence was significantly lower in the RFA group than in the hepatic resection group (5.6% vs. 14.0%, 7/125 vs. 13/93, x2 = 4.492, P = 0.034). The univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that no antiviral therapy (OR = 11.7; 95% CI: 1.52-90.8, P = 0.018) and the treatment type (i.e. RFA or hepatic resection) (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.26-8.97, P = 0.016) were significant risk factors of HBV reactivation. Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of HBV reactivation was lower in patients who received antiviral therapy than in those who did not for both the RFA group and the hepatic resection group but the difference was not significant in the former group (1/68 vs. 19/150, x2=7.039, P = 0.008 and 0/33 vs. 7/92, x2 = 2.660, P = 0.188, respectively). However, the incidence of HBV reactivation in patients who did not receive antiviral therapy was higher than in those who did receive antiviral therapy in the hepatic resection group (12/58 vs. 1/35, x2 = 5.773, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of HBV reactivation was lower in patients who received RFA than in those who received hepatic resection to treat HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy prior to the hepatic resection treatment may be beneficial for reducing the incidence of HBV reactivation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; virology ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; adverse effects ; Hepatitis B virus ; physiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Virus Activation ; Young Adult