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Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit der Akupunktur bei chronischer spontaner Urtikaria: Eine systematische Übersicht und Meta-Analyse


Abstract

Background
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

Methods
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing acupuncture for CSU were retrieved from seven public databases up to March 2025. Meta-analyses were conducted for each outcome, and publication bias and the certainty of evidence were evaluated.

Results
Eight RCTs involving 564 participants were included. Compared with antihistamines, acupuncture significantly improved the clinical effective rate (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.29, p < 0.0001) and interferon-γ levels (MD 5.96, 95% CI 3.92–8.00, p < 0.00001). Acupuncture also significantly reduced the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score (MD −3.39, 95% CI − 6.53 to −0.26, p = 0.03), immunoglobulin E levels (MD −13.95, 95% CI − 17.20 to −10.70, p < 0.00001), interleukin-4 levels (MD −6.24, 95% CI − 6.82 to −5.67, p < 0.00001), and the recurrence rate (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.01–0.62, p = 0.003). The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.23–2.80, p = 0.73). Potential publication bias was observed for the clinical effective rate and DLQI.

Conclusion
Compared with antihistamines, acupuncture may be a more effective alternative treatment for CSU. However, as the certainty of evidence was low, these findings require further validation.


Autoren
Yaling Tong, Rong Jin, Yunfeng Yu, Shumin Xia, Zuqiang Wu, Xuan Su

Journal
Frontiers in Medicine

Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1648375

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1648375

Verwendete Punkte: keine

 

QUELLE:
Tong, Y., Jin, R., Yu, Y., Xia, S., Wu, Z., & Su, X. (2026). Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chronic spontaneous urticaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1648375. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1648375