Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine Fumigation Therapy in Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation is increasingly being used in treating sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID). However, there is a lack of meta-analysis on the effectiveness of acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation in treating SPID. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of combining acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation in the treatment of SPID.

METHODS: We searched eight databases for studies on acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicine fumigation for the treatment of Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease from the date of establishment to October 29, 2022. We assessed the quality of included studies by using the Cochrane bias risk tool. Pooled results were expressed as risk ratios (RR), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, we identified sources of heterogeneity by sensitivity analysis, assessed publication bias by Egger's test, and assessed the quality of the evidence by Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). All statistical analyses were performed by Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.

RESULTS: Finally, Seven studies with a total of 663 participants were included. We found a significant difference in the total effective rate in the acupuncture combined with the fumigation group compared with the acupuncture group in the treatment of SPID (RR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.09, 1.25], P = 0.0001 < 0.05; I2 = 0%; 6 trials), and a significant difference in the total effective rate in the acupuncture combined with fumigation group compared with the fumigation group in the treatment of SPID (RR = 1.42, 95% CI [1.21, 1.66], P = 0.0001 < 0.05; 5 trials).

CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with herbal fumigation in the treatment of SPID is relatively good. Larger-scale studies are needed in the future.