摘要: 目的:评价高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)联合低频率电针治疗气滞血瘀型子宫腺肌病(AM)合并不孕症的临床疗效,重点观察子宫体积改变情况及痛经缓解效果,为临床优化治疗方案提供循证依据。方法:选取2023年1月至2023年12月贵州中医药大学第二附属医院妇科收治的气滞血瘀型AM合并不孕症患者68例,按随机数字表法分为单纯HIFU组(34例)与HIFU + 低频率电针组(联合组,34例)。单纯HIFU组采用JC200D型HIFU系统行病灶消融治疗;联合组在HIFU治疗后,于月经第5日开始低频率电针治疗(选穴关元、子宫、气海等,连续波2 Hz,每次30 min,隔日1次,共3个月经周期)。比较两组治疗前及治疗后3个月经周期的子宫体积、痛经视觉模拟评分(VAS),并记录治疗期间安全性事件。结果:治疗前两组子宫体积、痛经VAS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05);治疗后3个月经周期,两组上述指标均较治疗前显著改善(P < 0.001),且联合组改善幅度优于单纯HIFU组(P < 0.05):联合组子宫体积为(162.3 ± 25.7) cm
3,显著小于单纯HIFU组的(185.6 ± 28.3) cm
3;联合组痛经VAS评分为(2.1 ± 0.8)分,显著低于单纯HIFU组的(2.8 ± 0.9)分。安全性方面,联合组出现2例轻微晕针,经平卧休息后缓解;单纯HIFU组出现1例轻微腹壁胀痛,调整治疗参数后缓解,两组均无血肿、感染等严重不良事件。结论:HIFU联合低频率电针可显著缩小气滞血瘀型AM合并不孕症患者的子宫体积、缓解痛经症状,且安全性高,值得临床推广应用。
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) combined with low-frequency electroacupuncture in the treatment of Adenomyosis (AM) of qi stagnation and blood stasis type complicated with infertility, with a focus on observing the changes in uterine volume and the effect of relieving dysmenorrhea, so as to provide an evidence-based basis for optimizing clinical treatment regimens. Methods: A total of 68 patients with AM of qi stagnation and blood stasis type complicated with infertility admitted to the Department of Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected. They were divided into the HIFU alone group (34 cases) and the HIFU + low-frequency electroacupuncture group (combined group, 34 cases) using the random number table method. The HIFU alone group received lesion ablation therapy with the JC200D HIFU system; the combined group received low-frequency electroacupuncture treatment starting from the 5th day of menstruation after HIFU treatment (acupoints selected: Guanyuan, Zigong, Qihai, etc., continuous wave at 2 Hz, 30 minutes per session, once every other day, for a total of 3 menstrual cycles). The uterine volume and dysmenorrhea Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score were compared between the two groups before treatment and 3 menstrual cycles after treatment, and safety events during the treatment period were recorded. Results: Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in uterine volume or dysmenorrhea VAS score between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 3 menstrual cycles after treatment, both indicators in both groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0.001), and the improvement in the combined group was superior to that in the HIFU alone group (P < 0.05): the uterine volume of the combined group was (162.3 ± 25.7) cm3, which was significantly smaller than that of the HIFU alone group [(185.6 ± 28.3) cm3]; the dysmenorrhea VAS score of the combined group was (2.1 ± 0.8) points, which was significantly lower than that of the HIFU alone group [(2.8 ± 0.9) points]. In terms of safety, 2 cases of mild needle syncope occurred in the combined group, which were relieved after lying flat and resting; 1 case of mild abdominal wall distending pain occurred in the HIFU alone group, which was relieved after adjusting the treatment parameters. No serious adverse events such as hematoma or infection occurred in either group. Conclusion: HIFU combined with low-frequency electroacupuncture can significantly reduce the uterine volume and relieve dysmenorrhea symptoms in patients with AM of qi stagnation and blood stasis type complicated with infertility, with high safety, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
1. 引言
子宫腺肌病(Adenomyosis, AM)是育龄期女性常见的雌激素依赖性妇科疾病,以子宫肌层内异位子宫内膜组织增生、周期性出血为主要病理特征,临床常表现为进行性加重的痛经、月经量增多,部分患者伴随子宫体积增大,且约30%~50%的AM患者合并不孕症[1]。AM导致不孕的机制复杂,除异位内膜释放炎症因子影响子宫内膜容受性外,子宫体积过度增大可改变宫腔解剖形态、增加肌层张力,进一步影响盆腔微环境与胚胎着床条件[2] [3];而痛经作为AM患者最突出的症状之一,严重降低患者生活质量,甚至影响其备孕心态。
目前,高强度聚焦超声(High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, HIFU)作为无创治疗技术,通过热效应精准消融AM病灶,可减少异位内膜活性、缩小子宫体积,且避免了手术创伤。但临床实践发现,单一HIFU治疗后部分患者子宫体积缩小维持时间较短、痛经缓解不彻底,需进一步优化治疗方案。低频率电针基于中医“活血化瘀、行气止痛”理论,通过刺激特定穴位可调节盆腔血液循环、促进病灶吸收,已有研究证实其对AM患者的痛经症状具有改善作用[4]。
本研究针对临床最常见的气滞血瘀型AM合并不孕症患者(主症:经行腹痛、月经量多、子宫增大;次症:经色紫暗有块、胸胁胀痛;舌脉:舌质紫暗或有瘀点、脉弦涩),采用随机对照设计,对比HIFU联合低频率电针与单纯HIFU的疗效,重点聚焦“子宫体积改变”与“痛经缓解”两大核心指标,旨在为AM合并不孕症患者提供更高效的无创整合治疗方案。
2. 研究结果
2.1. 两组患者治疗前后子宫体积对比
治疗前,两组患者子宫体积比较,差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05);治疗后3个月经周期,两组子宫体积均较治疗前显著缩小(P < 0.001),且联合组子宫体积显著小于单纯HIFU组,子宫体积变化率显著高于单纯HIFU组,差异均有统计学意义(P < 0.05) (见表1)。
Table 1. Comparison of uterine volume before and after treatment between two groups (x ± s)
表1. 两组患者治疗前后子宫体积对比(x ± s)
指标 |
单纯HIFU组(n = 34) |
联合组(n = 34) |
组内治疗前vs治疗后P值 |
组间治疗后P值 |
治疗前子宫体积(cm3) |
256.8 ± 38.5 |
261.2 ± 41.3 |
- |
0.647 |
治疗后子宫体积(cm3) |
185.6 ± 28.3 |
162.3 ± 25.7 |
<0.001 |
0.003 |
子宫体积变化率(%) |
−27.7 ± 8.5 |
−37.9 ± 9.2 |
<0.001 |
0.001 |
2.2. 两组患者治疗前后痛经VAS评分对比
Table 2. Comparison of dysmenorrhea VAS scores before and after treatment between two groups (x ± s)
表2. 两组患者治疗前后痛经VAS评分对比(x ± s)
时间 |
单纯HIFU组(n = 34) |
联合组(n = 34) |
组内治疗前vs治疗后3周期P值 |
组间治疗后3周期P值 |
治疗前 |
7.1 ± 1.3 |
7.3 ± 1.2 |
- |
0.532 |
治疗后1个月经周期 |
4.5 ± 1.1 |
3.8 ± 1.0 |
<0.001 |
0.018 |
治疗后2个月经周期 |
3.6 ± 0.9 |
2.9 ± 0.8 |
<0.001 |
0.009 |
治疗后3个月经周期 |
2.8 ± 0.9 |
2.1 ± 0.8 |
<0.001 |
0.007 |
治疗前,两组患者痛经VAS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05);治疗后1个、2个、3个月经周期,两组VAS评分均呈逐渐下降趋势,且治疗后3个月经周期联合组VAS评分显著低于单纯HIFU组,差异有统计学意义(P < 0.05) (见表2)。
2.3. 两组患者安全性对比
治疗期间,两组均未出现严重不良事件:单纯HIFU组1例患者治疗中出现轻微腹壁胀痛,调整HIFU治疗功率后症状缓解,无后遗症;联合组2例患者电针治疗时出现晕针(表现为面色苍白、头晕),立即停止针刺并平卧休息5~10 min后症状缓解,后续治疗前嘱患者避免过饥过饱,未再发生类似情况。两组不良事件发生率比较(单纯HIFU组2.9%,联合组5.9%),差异无统计学意义(χ2 = 0.351, P = 0.554)。
3. 讨论
3.1. HIFU联合低频率电针对子宫体积的改善机制
AM患者子宫体积增大的核心病理基础是异位内膜组织在子宫肌层内弥漫性浸润、增殖,并伴随肌层纤维化与局部充血水肿[1]。本研究结果显示,单纯HIFU治疗可使子宫体积缩小27.7%,其机制在于HIFU通过聚焦超声的热效应,使靶区异位内膜组织温度迅速升至60℃~100℃,导致细胞凝固性坏死,坏死组织随后被机体巨噬细胞吞噬、降解并吸收,病灶体积缩小,进而带动子宫整体体积下降[5]。
而联合低频率电针后,子宫体积缩小幅度提升至37.9%,且显著优于单纯HIFU组,其协同作用机制与中医“活血化瘀”理论密切相关:① 所选穴位中,关元、气海为任脉要穴,可调节冲任二脉气血,改善子宫微循环,促进病灶区域代谢产物排出;子宫穴为治疗妇科疾病的特异性穴位,可直接作用于子宫,增强局部气血运行;血海为“治血要穴”,能活血化瘀、消散瘀滞,加速坏死病灶吸收;② 现代医学研究证实,低频率电针(2 Hz)可通过刺激穴位周围神经末梢,激活交感–副交感神经调节系统,降低子宫肌层血管阻力,增加局部血流量,同时促进纤溶酶活性升高,加速纤维化病灶降解[6],与HIFU的“病灶消融”标本同治的协同效应,进一步缩小子宫体积。
因课题研究条件有限,后续研究可进一步深入探索如:HIFU联合低频率电针是否可上调血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达,及具体信号传导途径;VEGF如何精准介导血管内皮细胞增殖、迁移以及参与子宫组织修复等;以及HIFU造成的损伤微环境如何影响电针调控VEGF表达的效率,明确三者间的相互作用机制。
3.2. HIFU联合低频率电针对痛经的缓解机制
痛经是AM患者的核心症状,其发生与异位内膜组织周期性出血刺激肌层收缩、释放前列腺素(PGF2α)及炎症因子(如VEGF)密切相关[7]。本研究中,两组治疗后痛经VAS评分均显著降低,且联合组缓解效果更优,其机制可从两方面解析:①HIFU通过消融异位内膜病灶,减少PGF2α、VEGF等致痛因子与炎症因子的合成与释放,从源头减轻子宫肌层痉挛与炎症反应,缓解疼痛[6] [7];②低频率电针除通过活血化瘀改善盆腔血液循环、减轻肌层缺血缺氧性疼痛外,还可激活中枢内啡肽系统,可促进脑内β-内啡肽、脑啡肽等阿片类神经递质释放,抑制脊髓背角疼痛信号传导,发挥中枢性镇痛作用[6] [7],实现外周调节(改善血供) + 中枢抑制(阻断痛觉)的双重镇痛效果,因此联合组痛经缓解更彻底,治疗后3个月经周期VAS评分降至(2.1 ± 0.8)分,显著低于单纯HIFU组。
3.3. 研究优势与局限性
本研究的优势在于:① 聚焦气滞血瘀型AM合并不孕症这一临床常见类型,辨证精准,电针选穴与参数规范,确保中医干预的科学性;② 采用随机对照设计,两组基线资料均衡,重点观察子宫体积与痛经两大临床核心指标,结果针对性强;③ 两种治疗技术均为无创或微创手段,患者接受度高,且安全性良好,无严重不良事件发生。
研究局限性:① 单中心研究,样本量有限(每组34例),可能存在地域选择偏倚,未来需多中心、大样本研究验证结果;② 随访时间较短(仅3个月经周期),未观察子宫体积缩小与痛经缓解的长期维持效果,后续需延长随访至12~24个月,同时跟进患者妊娠结局,进一步完善疗效评价体系。
4. 结论
高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)联合低频率电针治疗气滞血瘀型子宫腺肌病(AM)合并不孕症,具有明确的临床疗效与良好的安全性:在子宫体积改善方面,联合治疗可使患者治疗后3个月经周期的子宫体积显著缩小至(162.3 ± 25.7) cm3,体积变化率达−37.9%,显著优于单纯HIFU组的(185.6 ± 28.3) cm3与−27.7%,能更有效纠正AM所致的子宫解剖形态异常,为后续胚胎着床创造更优的宫腔环境;在痛经缓解方面,联合治疗可使患者痛经VAS评分降至(2.1 ± 0.8)分,显著低于单纯HIFU组的(2.8 ± 0.9)分,且评分随治疗周期呈持续下降趋势,改善患者疼痛症状,提升生活质量与备孕信心。
安全性层面,两组均未发生血肿、感染、皮肤灼伤等严重不良事件,仅联合组出现2例可通过平卧休息缓解的轻微晕针,单纯HIFU组出现1例可通过调整参数缓解的腹壁胀痛,不良事件发生率低且可控,充分体现该联合方案的无创优势与安全性。
综上,HIFU联合低频率电针通过病灶消融及气血调理的协同作用,实现了缩小子宫体积与缓解痛经的双重治疗目标,且安全性高、患者接受度好,为气滞血瘀型AM合并不孕症患者提供了更高效的无创整合治疗选择,尤其适用于希望保留子宫功能、追求微创治疗的育龄期患者,值得在临床进一步推广应用。未来可通过多中心、大样本研究延长随访时间,进一步验证该方案对子宫体积缩小的长期维持效果及对妊娠结局的影响,为AM合并不孕症的精准治疗提供更全面的循证支持。
基金项目
贵州中医药大学大学生创新训练项目(贵中医大创合字(2023)51号)。
NOTES
*通讯作者。