OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture. METHODS: From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To elucidate the impact of chronic kidney disease(CKD)on the clinical outcomes of patients with left main coronary artery disease(LMCAD)undergoing intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with LMCAD who underwent IVUS-guided PCI at Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020.Patients were stratified into CKD and non-CKD groups according to the presence of CKD.Clinical data were systematically retrieved from the electronic health record system.Demographic,clinical,and angiographic characteristics were compared between groups.The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE),defined as a composite of all-cause mortality,myocardial infarction,and ischemic stroke.Results A total of 325 LMCAD patients[mean age(62.56±9.86)years;73.54％male]were included,with 31 patients(9.54％)in the CKD group.During a median follow-up of 5 years,CKD patients exhibited significantly older age[(70.13±9.77)years vs.(61.77±9.54)years,P＜0.001],higher prevalence of three-vessel disease(64.52％vs.38.10％;P=0.040)and left main bifurcation lesion(45.16％vs.37.76％,P=0.011),greater IVUS-detected calcification burden(P=0.029),and higher median SYNTAXⅡ scores[(34.10(30.30,39.25)vs.26.75(22.42,31.58),P＜0.001)].The cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the CKD group compared to the non-CKD group(32.26％vs.9.18％,P＜0.001).Univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed a 5.877-fold increased risk of MACE in CKD patients(95％CI 2.765-12.494).After adjusting for age and cardiac function,CKD remained an independent predictor of MACE(HR 3.611,95％CI 1.634-7.978).Conclusions LMCAD patients with concomitant CKD present with advanced age,impaired cardiac function,more extensive coronary disease,and severe calcification.The presence of CKD is associated with a significantly worse long-term prognosis.

The medulla oblongata,situated at the caudal portion of the brainstem,serves as a critical regulatory center responsible for maintaining fundamental vital functions including respiratory and cardiovascular homeostasis.As a pivotal hub within the autonomic nervous system,it orchestrates the coordinated control of afferent and efferent neural pathways.Dysfunction of this region may precipitate life-threatening cardiorespiratory arrest,associated with substantial mortality rates.This case report presents a patient who developed acute extensive anterior myocardial infarction during treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy and moderate-intensity statins following acute medullary infarction.It is hypothesized that the pathogenesis may involve the acceleration of plaque erosion by the stroke-heart syndrome.This clinical case provides valuable insights into the complex neurocardiac interplay,particularly highlighting the imperative for enhanced recognition of brain-heart axis interactions in cerebrovascular pathology.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of Xingqi Tongjiang tablets in treating postprandial distress syndrome(PDS)of liver-stomach disharmony syndrome and its impact on electrogastrogram indicators.Methods A total of 300 patients with PDS were prospectively selected and randomly divided into the control group(treated with mosapride citrate+placebo of Xingqi Tongjiang tablets,n=151)and the observation group(treated with mosapride citrate+Xingqi Tongjiang tablets,n=149)according to the random number table method.The levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,clinical efficacy,electrogastrography indicators,negative emotion scores,quality of life scores and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of both groups decreased,and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the percentages of normal gastric slow waves(NGSW)in the overall stomach and gastric antrum before and after meals of both groups increased,and the proportion of slow waves(SR)decreased.Moreover,the increased NGSW and the decreased SR in the observation group were more significant(P＜0.05).The scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)and the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)decreased after treatment in both groups,and the scores of the observation group were lower(P＜0.05).The scores of the Nepean Dyspepsia Quality of Life Index(NDLQI)increased after treatment in both groups,and the scores of the observation group were higher(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Xingqi Tongjiang tablets can effectively improve the electrogastrogram indicators of patients with postprandial distress syndrome of liver-stomach disharmony syndrome,and enhance clinical efficacy.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Objective To elucidate the impact of chronic kidney disease(CKD)on the clinical outcomes of patients with left main coronary artery disease(LMCAD)undergoing intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with LMCAD who underwent IVUS-guided PCI at Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020.Patients were stratified into CKD and non-CKD groups according to the presence of CKD.Clinical data were systematically retrieved from the electronic health record system.Demographic,clinical,and angiographic characteristics were compared between groups.The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE),defined as a composite of all-cause mortality,myocardial infarction,and ischemic stroke.Results A total of 325 LMCAD patients[mean age(62.56±9.86)years;73.54％male]were included,with 31 patients(9.54％)in the CKD group.During a median follow-up of 5 years,CKD patients exhibited significantly older age[(70.13±9.77)years vs.(61.77±9.54)years,P＜0.001],higher prevalence of three-vessel disease(64.52％vs.38.10％;P=0.040)and left main bifurcation lesion(45.16％vs.37.76％,P=0.011),greater IVUS-detected calcification burden(P=0.029),and higher median SYNTAXⅡ scores[(34.10(30.30,39.25)vs.26.75(22.42,31.58),P＜0.001)].The cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the CKD group compared to the non-CKD group(32.26％vs.9.18％,P＜0.001).Univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves confirmed a 5.877-fold increased risk of MACE in CKD patients(95％CI 2.765-12.494).After adjusting for age and cardiac function,CKD remained an independent predictor of MACE(HR 3.611,95％CI 1.634-7.978).Conclusions LMCAD patients with concomitant CKD present with advanced age,impaired cardiac function,more extensive coronary disease,and severe calcification.The presence of CKD is associated with a significantly worse long-term prognosis.

The medulla oblongata,situated at the caudal portion of the brainstem,serves as a critical regulatory center responsible for maintaining fundamental vital functions including respiratory and cardiovascular homeostasis.As a pivotal hub within the autonomic nervous system,it orchestrates the coordinated control of afferent and efferent neural pathways.Dysfunction of this region may precipitate life-threatening cardiorespiratory arrest,associated with substantial mortality rates.This case report presents a patient who developed acute extensive anterior myocardial infarction during treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy and moderate-intensity statins following acute medullary infarction.It is hypothesized that the pathogenesis may involve the acceleration of plaque erosion by the stroke-heart syndrome.This clinical case provides valuable insights into the complex neurocardiac interplay,particularly highlighting the imperative for enhanced recognition of brain-heart axis interactions in cerebrovascular pathology.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of Xingqi Tongjiang tablets in treating postprandial distress syndrome(PDS)of liver-stomach disharmony syndrome and its impact on electrogastrogram indicators.Methods A total of 300 patients with PDS were prospectively selected and randomly divided into the control group(treated with mosapride citrate+placebo of Xingqi Tongjiang tablets,n=151)and the observation group(treated with mosapride citrate+Xingqi Tongjiang tablets,n=149)according to the random number table method.The levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,clinical efficacy,electrogastrography indicators,negative emotion scores,quality of life scores and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of both groups decreased,and the scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the percentages of normal gastric slow waves(NGSW)in the overall stomach and gastric antrum before and after meals of both groups increased,and the proportion of slow waves(SR)decreased.Moreover,the increased NGSW and the decreased SR in the observation group were more significant(P＜0.05).The scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)and the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)decreased after treatment in both groups,and the scores of the observation group were lower(P＜0.05).The scores of the Nepean Dyspepsia Quality of Life Index(NDLQI)increased after treatment in both groups,and the scores of the observation group were higher(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in adverse reactions between the two groups.Conclusion Xingqi Tongjiang tablets can effectively improve the electrogastrogram indicators of patients with postprandial distress syndrome of liver-stomach disharmony syndrome,and enhance clinical efficacy.