[Acupoint application for exogenous fever: a multi-central retrospective cohort study].

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Exogenous fever, commonly associated with the common cold, presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Acupoint application therapy is a TCM modality increasingly utilized for managing febrile conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of acupoint application therapy in treating exogenous fever.
• To identify characteristics of the patient population that respond best to this therapy.
• To analyze specific acupoint prescriptions and herbal formulations used in effective treatments.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study using an electronic diagnosis and treatment platform.
• Inclusion of patients diagnosed with common cold and fever, with propensity score matching applied.
• Analysis of fever disappearance rate within 2 days and time to first fever disappearance as primary outcomes.

Main Results:

• Acupoint application significantly increased fever disappearance rate (1.82 times) and reduced time to fever resolution (P<0.01).
• Effective treatment was observed in 5,370 cases, with a median age of 2 years, indicating high efficacy in young children.
• Commonly used acupoints included Shenque (CV 8) and Dazhui (GV 14), often paired with herbs like Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Natrii Sulfas, Herba Ephedrae, and Radix Bupleuri.

Conclusions:

• Acupoint application therapy is an effective treatment for exogenous fever.
• Specific herbal applications at Shenque (CV 8) (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Natrii Sulfas) and Dazhui (GV 14) (Herba Ephedrae, Radix Bupleuri) demonstrate significant therapeutic value.