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Clinical efficacy of abdominal moxibustion at the Zhongji (CV3) in combination with Yiqi Tonglin Yangyin decoction and antibiotics for treating elderly female patients with complicated urinary tract infection

J Tradit Chin Med. 2026 Apr;46(2):447-457. doi: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.02.017.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of abdominal moxibustion at the Zhongji (CV3) combined with Yiqi Tonglin Yangyin decoction and antibiotics on elderly women with complicated urinary tract infections.

METHODS: One hundred and forty-four elderly female patients diagnosed with complicated urinary tract infections and admitted to our hospital were selected for this study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the dual treatment group, consisting of 72 patients, treated with antibiotics combined with Yiqi Tonglin Yangyin decoction, and the triple treatment group, comprising 72 patients, who received abdominal moxibustion at the Zhongji (CV3) in addition to the dual treatment. The clinical efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome score, immune function indicators, oxidative stress status indicators, symptom recovery, and recurrence were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant differences observed in the TCM syndrome score, levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), xanthine oxidoreductase (XOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) between the two groups (P >0.05). After treatment, the triple group exhibited a significantly higher overall response rate (95.9% > 84.7%) compared to the dual group. Moreover, the triple group demonstrated elevated levels of IgA, IgM, and SOD, a lower TCM syndrome score, and reduced levels of XOD and MDA, along with a diminished recurrence rate. Additionally, patients in the triple group experienced a shorter time to return to normal symptoms, bacteriuria, and a routine urine output.

CONCLUSION: Abdominal moxibustion at the Zhongji (CV3), combined with Yiqi Tonglin Yangyin decoction and antibiotics for treating complicated urinary tract infections in elderly women, can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, TCM syndromes, and immune function of patients. Additionally, it can reduce oxidative stress, promote patient recovery, and lower the recurrence rate with pronounced comprehensive efficacy.

PMID:42015783 | DOI:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.02.017