Analysis And Experience Summary Of Professor Zuo Tao's Treatment Of Primary Retinitis Pigmentosa From The Perspective Of Q

Purpose: This retrospective survey evaluates the clinical efficacy of Professor Zuo Tao’s treatment for primary retinitis pigmentosa with spleen deficiency syndrome from a gas theory perspective.The study aims to summarize his experience using medication and acupuncture to treat primary retinitis pigmentosa,emphasizing the unique advantages of his theoretical ideas.It will provide more ideas and methods for treating primary retinitis pigmentosa.Material and method: This retrospective study was conducted on patients with primary retinitis pigmentosa(spleen deficiency syndrome)who were hospitalized or treated as outpatients at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2018 and October 2022.Patients were divided into an exposure group(133 cases)and a non-exposure group(95 cases)based on their degree of receiving Professor Zuo Tao’s gas theory treatment plan.The two groups were matched using the propensity score matching method.Changes in visual acuity,visual field(VFI,MD),and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFL)before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results:1.A total of 122 patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio between the exposed and non-exposed groups using propensity score matching,resulting in 61 patients in each group.Before matching,there were significant differences(P<0.05)between the two groups regarding baseline age,traditional Chinese medicine-directed penetration drug therapy,and RNFL variables.After matching,there was no statistical difference(P>0.05)between the two groups’ clinical characteristics at baseline,indicating they were comparable.2.Visual acuity comparison: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference(P<0.05)in visual acuity within both groups before and after treatment and a significant difference(P<0.05)between the two groups after treatment.The results indicated that both patient groups had improved vision after treatment;however,more significant improvement was observed in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group.3.Visual field comparison: Statistical analysis showed a significant difference(P<0.05)between both groups after treatment for VFI and MD before and after treatment also had statistical significance(P < 0.05).The results indicated that VFI and MD significantly improved for both patient groups following treatment but more so for those who received exposure than those who did not receive exposure.4.RNFL comparison: Statistical analysis revealed an increase in mean RNFL values post-treatment for both patient groups;however,there was no statistically significant difference(P > 0.05)in within-group comparisons before or after treatments or intergroup comparisons.5.Comprehensive efficacy comparison: The total effective rate of the exposed group is higher than that of the non-exposed group(83.6% vs46.6%,P < 0.05),indicating better outcomes with exposure to specific treatments compared to non-exposure.Conclusion:Professor Zuo Tao utilized Qi theory to treat the root cause of primary retinitis pigmentosa and weak spleen qi,improving patient vision.This treatment was based on simple Western medicine practices.Although there were no significant changes in retinal morphology in the short term,the patient’s visual field also showed improvement.The treatment plan proved safe as no adverse events occurred during treatment,making it a viable option for further clinical promotion.