Abstract:
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of modified Xiaochaihu Decoction on acute herpes zoster (AHZ) and its preventive effect on postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), aiming to find an effective and safe treatment. Methods A total of 186 AHZ patients admitted to Longyou County People ' s Hospital from January 2019 to June 2023 were divided into Group A and Group B according to random number table method. Group A (93 cases) were treated with conventional Western medicine, while Group B (93 cases) were treated with modified Xiaochaihu Decoction. Two groups of the degree of pain and sleep quality, T cell subsets, cytokines, disease control time, clinical efficacy, utilization rate of oxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, recurrence rate, and incidence of PHN were observed. Results After treatment, the numerical rating scale (NRS) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores of patients in group B (3.43±0.52, 7.78±0.97) were lower than those in group A (4.15±0.67, 10.06±1.22), P < 0.05. The levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+in Group B were higher than those in Group A, while CD8+ was lower than that in Group A. TNF-α and IL-1β in Group B were lower than those in Group A, while IL-2 and IL-10 were higher than those in Group A, with statistical differences (P < 0.05). The time for preventing blisters, scabbing, scabbing, and pain relief in Group B were shorter than those in Group A. The total effective rate of group B (96.77%, 90/93) was higher than that of group A (83.87%, 78/93), with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The utilization rate of roxycodone hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, recurrence rate, and PHN incidence rate in Group B were lower than those in Group A (P < 0.05). Conclusion The modified Xiaochaihu Decoction is effective in treating AHZ, It can relieve pain, improve sleep quality, enhance immune function, and reduce inflammatory reactions. The time of disease control is relatively shorter, and the utilization rate of oxycodone hydrochloride, recurrence rate and the incidence of PHN are lower.