Anti-phlogistic and immunocompetent effects of acupuncture treatment in women suffering from chronic pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Thirty-nine women of reproductive age suffering from chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) for at least two years, previously treated pharmacologically with no effect, were enrolled in a four-week therapeutic protocol consisting of 12 acupuncture treatments performed with the frequency of three per week. In each female patient at baseline and after the study, pain score and the following parameters in blood serum were evaluated: concentration of immunoglobulin M (IgM), albumins, alpha1-globulins, alpha2-globulins and gamma-globulins, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) count. During the study, we obtained a significant drop in ESR and IgM levels together with a rise in gamma-globulin concentrations. A significant decrease (from 4.89 +/- 0.82 to 0.63 +/- 1.05) in pain score was obtained. The other parameters remained unchanged. These results suggest that acupuncture treatment of PID exhibits a clear anti-inflammatory and immunocompetent effect.