Observation of curative effect on chronic filariasis patients with elephantiasis in lower limbs by drainage method

Objective To observe the curative effect of diethylcarbamazine, herbal medicine of xiaozhongrumiqing and self care on chronic filariasis patients with elephantiasis in lower limbs, and explore the effective measures to control the disease. Methods A total of 350 patients with elephantiasis in lower limbs selected from Tongxiang were randomly divided into 4 groups by villages. Group A (89 patients) were orally given diethylcarbamazine (100 mg/d); Group B (91 patients) were orally given herbal medicine of xiaozhongrumiqing (21 capsules/d); Group C (86 patients) were orally given placebo capsule (6 capsules/d); Group D (84 patients) took self care. The treatment in all groups lasted for 3 months. The patients were followed up by double blind method at 3 months and 1 year after treatment and drainage volume of affected limbs were measured to observe the curative effect. Results Totally 324 patients completed the entire observation, of which 171 felt better (52.78%),153 felt no improvement (47.22%). By 2 test, the difference was significant (2 = 63.67, P＜0.0001). The rank sum test on difference of mean drainage volume of affected limbs and variance analysis of repeated measures indicated that the short-term effect of Group A and B were better than Group C and D, as for long-term effect, Group A and B were better than Group D, Group A were better than Group B, Group D were better than Group B and C. Moreover, The effect of Group A and D had no significant difference. Conclusion Treatment with diethylcarbamazine on chronic filariasis patients with lymphedema or elephantiasis had marked effects both in short term and in long-term. The short term effect of herbal medicine of xiaozhongrumiqing was marked, but the long term effect was not marked. By long term observation, self care was also an effective treatment method.