Objective: To investigate the effect of eliminating phlegm and promoting blood circulation method combined with Western medicine in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with the pattern of phlegm - dampness obstructing collaterals.Methods: A total of 92 DPN patients with the pattern of phlegm - dampness obstructing collaterals admitted to Xuchang People's Hospital from January 2021 to November 2023 were selected as study subjects and divided into a combination group and a control group according to a random number table, with 46 cases in each group. In this study, 3 cases in the combination group dropped out/were excluded (2 withdrew voluntarily, 1 did not take medication as required by the study), and 4 cases in the control group dropped out/were excluded (1 withdrew voluntarily, 2 did not take medication as required by the study, 1 had worsened condition requiring other treatment plans). Finally, 43 patients were included in the combination group and 42 in the control group. The control group was treated with Western medicine, while the combination group was additionally treated with the method of eliminating phlegm and promoting blood circulation. Neurological function, nerve conduction velocity, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) symptom scores, and oxidative stress indicators were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Clinical efficacy and medication safety were also compared between the two groups.Results: After treatment, malondialdehyde (MDA), Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) scores, and TCM symptom scores decreased in both groups (P <0.05, P < 0.01), and the combination group was lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Superoxide dismutase(SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nerve conduction velocity increased in both groups after treatment (P <0.05), and the combination group was higher (P <0.05). The total effective rate in the combination group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: The method of eliminating phlegm and promoting blood circulation combined with Western medicine can effectively improve TCM symptoms, enhance neurological function, reduce oxidative stress, and demonstrate significant clinical efficacy with a low risk of adverse reactions in treating DPN with the pattern of phlegm - dampness obstructing collaterals.

Eliminating phlegm and promoting blood circulation method  /  Diabetic peripheral neuropathy  /  Pattern of phlegm - dampness obstructing collaterals