A Retrospective Study on the Treatment of Liver Qi Stagnation Combined with Chong–Ren Disharmony Syndrome of Mammary Hyperplasia Using Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Methods

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment methods for mammary hyperplasia with liver qi stagnation combined with chong–ren disharmony (thoroughfare–controlling vessels disharmony) syndrome.

This retrospective study collected medical records of 349 outpatients diagnosed with mammary hyperplasia (liver qi stagnation combined with chong–ren disharmony syndrome) from September 2022 to August 2023 at the Department of Breast Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine. Based on actual clinical medication, patients were divided into two groups: the Chaihu Rutongxiao Oral Liquid group (Chaihu group, following the principle of soothing the liver and regulating qi) and the Xianmao Rupixiao Oral Liquid group (Xianmao group, following the principle of regulating chong–ren vessels). Propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1:1 ratio was used to reduce confounding factors. Outcome measures included the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) score, breast pain and mass-related symptom scores, breast ultrasound results, and quality of life scores assessed before treatment and after 3 weeks of treatment, as well as recurrence status at a 6-month follow-up.

After PSM, 159 patients remained in each group. Compared with baseline, both groups showed significant decrease in SF-MPQ scores, breast pain, mass-related symptom scores, and breast ultrasound findings, as well as increase in total quality of life scores and all domain scores (P < 0.05). After treatment, the Chaihu group had significantly lower SF-MPQ and breast pain-related symptom scores compared with the Xianmao group (P < 0.05). Regarding quality of life, the Chaihu group had higher emotion scores, while the Xianmao group had higher menstruation scores (P < 0.05). After 6 months of follow-up, the recurrence rate was 11.95% in the Chaihu group and 16.98% in the Xianmao group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).

Both the method of soothing the liver and regulating qi and the method of regulating chong–ren demonstrate good clinical efficacy for mammary hyperplasia with liver qi stagnation combined with chong–ren disharmony syndrome. Chaihu Rutongxiao Oral Liquid has advantages in alleviating breast pain and regulating emotions, while Xianmao Rupixiao Oral Liquid shows advantages in improving menstruation.