Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to explore the effect of the “sequential three-stage” Chinese medicine intervention scheme on the regulation of the inflammatory microenvironment and quality of life of patients after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer.
Methods
From January 2021 to December 2024, 90 patients with early gastric cancer in our hospital were selected as research samples and randomly assigned to the observation group or the control group by random number table method, with 45 patients in each group. The control group received routine follow-up and omeprazole (20 mg) daily. Based on the postoperative pathophysiological evolution law and the consensus of clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the observation group received “sequential three-stage” acupuncture combined with medicine treatment. The clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores (stomachache, anorexia, fatigue, belching, and loose stool), inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)], and intestinal flora (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus faecalis, large intestine) were compared between the two groups.
Results
A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (P < 0.05), with a total effective rate notably higher in the observation group (73.33%) than that in the control group (51.11%). Compared with the control group before and after the intervention, the scores of stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, belching, and loose stool in the observation group decreased significantly after the intervention, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group before and after intervention, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and hs -CRP in the observation group decreased significantly after intervention, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group before and after the intervention, the levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the observation group increased significantly, and the levels of Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli decreased significantly after the intervention, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with before intervention and after intervention in the control group, the function, symptoms, overall quality of life, and scores of individual measurement items in the observation group increased significantly after intervention, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). During the 1-year follow-up period, there was no loss to follow-up in both groups. The 6-month survival rate in the observation group was 100%, and the 1-year survival rate was 100% (45/45, 0 deaths). In the control group, there was no death in 6 months and one death in 1 year, and the survival rate was 97.78% (44/45). The log-rank test was used to compare the survival data of the two groups, and the results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the 1-year survival rate between the two groups (χ2 = 1.000, P = 0.317). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
For patients with early gastric cancer after ESD operation, the “sequential three-stage” acupuncture and medication combined treatment has an obvious curative effect, which can effectively reduce the TCM syndrome score and inflammatory factor level, optimize the intestinal microbial environment, and improve the quality of life of patients. At the same time, it has no obvious negative effect on the survival time of patients, and it is safe and worthy of further clinical attention and application.
Keywords
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