Clinical observation on effect of yiqi yangyin principle on corticosteroid withdrawal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at remission stage

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of Yiqi Yangyin principle (YQYY, the treating principle in TCM to supplement Qi and nourish Yin) on corticosteroid withdrawal in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in remission stage and its influence on some immune parameters. Methods: The SLE patients were divided into two groups, 30 in the treated group and 10 in the control group, who were treated by conventional method with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressant in acute progressive stage, and YQYY was added to the treated group in remission stage. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treated group and 90.0% in the control group, comparison between the two groups showed significant difference by Ridit test (P0 05). The immune parameters, IgG and C 3 were significantly improved after treatment in the treated group (P0 01), but changed insignificantly in the control group. The maintaining dose of prednisone used in the two groups was 7.08±5.26 mg/d and 11.72±6.48 mg/d respectively, the amount used in the treated group was significantly lower than that in the control. Conclusion: Using mainly YQYY Principle to treat SLE in remission stage could withdraw the corticosteroid smoothly, relieve symptoms and improve immune function.