[Effect and postoperative reactions of acupoint catgut embedding for prediabetes].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect and safety of acupoint catgut embedding for prediabetes. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with prediabetes were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 43 cases in each one. Diabetes health education was applied in the two groups. Catgut embedding was used at bilateral Pishu (BL 20), Weiwanxiashu (EX-B 3), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), and Zusanli (ST 36) in the observation group, once every 15 days for 6 times. The type and number of postoperative reactions of the last time had been recorded since the second embedding, and the situation of the last postoperative reactions was observed 15 days after treatment. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hours postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), empty stomach insulin (Ins) and TCM syndrome score were tested before and after treatment as well as 6 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: >0.05). 18 postoperative reactions occurred 168 times totally after embedding, which could be divided into 5 categories, including 75 times (44.6%) of dietary inhibition, 41 times (24.4%) of abnormal feeling, 23 times (13.7%) of local discomfort, 21 times (12.5%) of general malaise, and 8 times (4.8%) of other symptoms. The postoperative peak responses were after the second and third operations. CONCLUSIONS: 3-month catgut embedding can improve some of the indices of prediabetes, but long-term healthy living habits need to be kept. There exist various postoperative reactions after embedding without blocking the treatment.