Objective

2

To observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of

Qingre Chushi Decoction

（清热除湿汤， QCD） in the treatment of herpes zoster with liver channel heat constraint syndrome.

Methods

2

Fifty-six cases of herpes zoster with liver channel heat constraint syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group （29 cases） and control group （27 cases）. The treatment group was given oral QCD， one dose daily， while the control group was given oral valaciclovir hydrochloride tablets （0.3 g per time， twice daily）， methylcobalamin tablets （0.5 mg per time， three times daiy） and vitamin B1 （10 mg per time， three times daily）. The course of treatment for both groups was 7 days. The score of symptoms and signs before and after treatment was recorded， and the effective rate was calculated after treatment. Pain visual analog score （VAS）， blister stopping time， scab forming time， scab removal time， pain relief time， and pain disappearance time were assessed before and after treatment， and at 30- and 90-day follow-up. The occurrence of adverse events during the trial was recorded， and the liver function， kidney function， blood routine， and urine routine indicators were detected.

Results

2

The total effective rate in the treatment group （82.76%） was significantly higher than 54.17% in the control group （

P

＜0.05）. VAS differences before and after treatment， 30-day follow-up

vs

before and 90-day follow-up

vs

before treatment in both groups were significant （

P

＜0.05）， while the treatment group was superior to the control（

P

＜0.05）. At 30-day follow-up， the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was 0 in the treatment group， significantly lower than 20.83% （5/24） of the control group （

P

＜0.05）. At 90-day follow-up， the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia was 0 as well in the treatment group， while that was 4.17% （1/24） in the control group （

P

＞0.05）. There was no significant difference in blister stopping time， scab forming time， and scab removal time between the two groups （

P

＞0.05）. The mean time of pain relief and pain disappearance were significantly shorter in the treatment group （

P

＜0.05）. During the trial， there were no serious adverse reactions in both groups， and no abnormalities were found of the liver function， kidney function， blood routine and urine routine indicators.

Conclusion

2

Oral QCD is safe and effective in the treatment of herpes zoster with liver channel heat constraint syndrome by significantly relieving pain， promoting skin rash healing， shortening the course of disease and reducing the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia.