Gout is a medical condition featured by recurrent attacks of inflammatory arthritis called gouty arthritis. The symptoms include a red, tender, hot and swollen joint. In these patients uric acid in the blood is elevated.
Effect of acupuncture for gouty arthritis was evaluated by Lee WB et al. Lee WB et al analysed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) data up to August 2012. All RCTs involving acupuncture in combination with conventional therapy for gouty arthritis were included. There were 10 RCTs involving 852 patients with gouty arthritis. Six studies with 512 patients showed a significant decrease in uric acid in the treatment groups compared with control groups. Four studies with 380 patients showed a significant decrease in visual analogue scale score for the treatment groups compared with control groups. They concluded that acupuncture is efficacious treatment method for patients with gouty arthritis.
References
Lee WB et al Rheumatology (Oxford) (2013) Feb 18
