Lik Sprava. 1998 Mar-Apr; (2): 151-3.

[The use of acupuncture reflexotherapy in the combined treatment of patients with chronic gouty polyarthritis]

Zherebkin VV.

A total of 38 patients with gout presenting with clinical signs of chronic polyarthritis were examined. Of these, 15 subjects were controls, who were treated with oplopurinol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug preparations, and intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids. 23 patients were placed into the main group, who, apart from the above treatment, received several acupuncture treatments. By the end of the in-patient course of treatment the values for the articular index and visual scale of pain were found to be significantly lower in the main group than they were in controls. The conclusion reached was that acupuncture in a combined treatment of patients with chronic podagric polyarthritis will help in enhancing the efficacy of the described treatment.