Outcome
Type |
Measure |
Description |
Time frame |
Safety issue |
Primary |
Change from baseline symptom scores |
Symptom change before and after treatment was estimated by Visual analogue scale(VAS) symptom score. The VAS symptom scores ranged from 0 (asymptomatic) to 10 (very severe). Four nasal symptoms (itching, sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nasal obstruction) and two ocular symptoms (ocular itch and watery eyes) were included. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Primary |
the change of rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) |
RQLQ score includes 7 aspects and 28 items: nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, non nasal and eye symptoms, behavior problems, sleep, daily activities and emotional reactions. It adopts a 0-6 point design. Among the emotional reactions, 0 point: none at any time; 1 point, not at any time; 2 points, occasionally; 3 points, sometimes; 4 points, often; 5 points, most of the time; 6 points, all the time; In other items: 0 point, not troubled; 1 point, hardly disturbed; 2 points, occasionally troubled; 3 points, moderate distress; 4 points, quite troubled; 5 points, very troubled; 6 points, extremely troubled. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
daily medication score |
medication score in each day during the peak pollen season (ranging from 0 to 3). 0 = no rescue medication uses, 1 = Oral and/or topical non-sedative H1 antihistamines, 2 = Intranasal corticosteroids (Rhinocort) with/without H1 antihistamines, and 3 = Oral corticosteroids with/without intranasal corticosteroids, with/without H1 antihistamines. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
combined symptom and medication score, CSMS |
the daily combined scores of medication and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (CSMRS) (ranging from 0 to 6); which was calculated as the combined score of daily average scores of 6 rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, sneezing, ocular pruritus, and watery eyes) and the daily rescue medication score. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
Health economics evaluation |
Record the treatment cost of patients with allergy related diseases in the period. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
adverse events |
Any adverse event following acupuncture was assessed by physicians and patients. Patients were instructed to record any unexpected signs, symptoms, and feelings during the entire trial period. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
The change of biomarkers |
The levels of neuropeptides; including substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) , neuropeptide Y (NPY)) will be analysed using ELISA. The unit of all these parameters is ng/ml. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
The change of cytokine expression |
Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression levels of the cytokines interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-13, leukotriene C4, RANTES, tumor necrosis factor-a, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and EOTAXIN in the nasal mucosa before and after treatment. The qRT-PCR data were processed using the 2-??CT method. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
nasal patency |
Eccovision acoustic rhinometry was used to measure the nasal cavity volume (NCV) according to standardized recommendations. Measurements of nasal volume were made from the first 2 cm (V2), the first 4 cm (V4), from the first 6 cm (V6), from the segment between 0 and 5 cm (V0-5), and the segment between 0 and 7 cm (V0-7) of the nose. All measurements were performed three times by the same operator, and nasal volumes were calculated as the sum of both nostrils24. In the current study, the change in the nasal cavity volume was measured at 2-5 cm, as this seems to be an important variable for mucosal changes.24 Nasal airway resistance (NAR) was measured by anterior active rhinomanometry in a quiet room at temperature of 25°C and humidity of 70%. NAR was measured at 75 Pa point (R75T). |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
|
Secondary |
The change of IgE level |
The levels of sIgE and sIgG will be analysed using Unicap250. The unit of all these parameters is kU/ml. |
Visit 0: at baseline; Visit 1: at the first year of the high pollen stage; Visit 2: at the second year of the high pollen stage; Visit 3: at ending of 2 years treatment; Visit 4: at the third year of the high pollen stage. |
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