Cardio-renal-metabolic Syndrome

Background: Cardio-renal metabolic syndrome (CRMS) is a vicious cycle of cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease, representing a high-risk for atherosclerosis. Laser acupuncture modulates vascular inflammation and improves endothelial function via low-level laser therapy (LLLT, \<500mW) at acupoints or musculoskeletal pain sites. Few studies have focused on CRMS populations. This study evaluates laser acupuncture effects on arterial stiffness in CRMS. Purpose: To assess the effects of improvement of laser acupuncture in patients with CRMS, and to evaluate its feasibility as supportive therapy. Methods: A single-group pre-post design is used. Participants are patients with CRMS receiving laser acupuncture at a Chinese medicine clinic in Taiwan. CRMS is interrelated by cardiac, renal, and metabolic disease. Inclusion criteria require diagnosis in ≥2 of 3 systems (cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic; n = 35). Laser acupuncture will be applied to bilateral BL40 for 12 weeks (1-3 sessions/week, 60mins/session). Pulse wave velocity(PWV) measured by Omron HBP- 8000 as the primary outcome for arterial stiffness. Paired t-tests and GEE will be used for analysis. Expected Results: PWV is expected to show significant improvement after intervention.

Study aims to investigate the incidence, associations and prognostic value of CRGM and its components: chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with different phenotypes and severity of clinical manifestations of CHF.