Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Long-term management of UC depends heavily on patients' disease knowledge, treatment adherence, and self-management capabilities. As an essential component of comprehensive UC management, systematic patient education is of no less importance than pharmacological therapy. To standardize and optimize patient education for UC in China, this consensus was developed by experts in gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Based on a review of the latest evidence-based medical literature combined with Chinese clinical practice, the consensus comprises 15 recommendation statements across four parts. Part Ⅰ addresses disease cognition education, including establishing correct disease perceptions, understanding the complexity of the diagnostic process, maintaining continuity of care with a fixed IBD team, individualized pharmacotherapy, and discernment of non-evidence-based therapies. Part Ⅱ covers treatment management education, encompassing disease self-monitoring skills, recognition of functional bowel symptoms during remission, promotion of the "Treat-to-Target" concept, and regular follow-up. Part Ⅲ provides lifestyle guidance, including individualized nutritional management and stage-specific exercise interventions. Part Ⅳ focuses on special population management, addressing pregnancy planning in women of childbearing age, recognition of extraintestinal manifestations, surveillance colonoscopy for colorectal neoplasia in long-standing UC, and psychological assessment and intervention. This consensus aims to help UC patients develop accurate disease perceptions, enhance treatment adherence and self-management abilities, achieve long-term stable disease control, and ultimately improve quality of life and long-term prognosis.

To explore the predictive value of endoscopic ulcer characteristics combined with serum albumin (ALB) levels for the prognosis of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

A retrospective study was conducted on 210 PUB patients admitted to Xingtai Central Hospital from May 2023 to May 2025, all of whom underwent emergency endoscopic examination and endoscopic hemostasis treatment. According to the patient's prognosis within 30 days, they were divided into a poor prognosis group (n=54) and a good prognosis group (n=156). Clinical data, endoscopic ulcer characteristics (including ulcer size, location, and Forrest classification), serum ALB, and blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio (BUN/Cr) were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors for poor prognosis in PUB patients, and a predictive model was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of each independent factor and the combined prediction model.

There were statistically significant differences in SI, Forrest grading, maximum ulcer diameter, ALB, and BUN/Cr between the two groups (P<0.05). High SI, Forrest classification as high-risk, ulcer diameter >2 cm, low ALB, and high BUN/Cr were all risk factors affecting poor prognosis in PUB patients (P<0.05). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of SI, Forrest grading, maximum ulcer diameter, ALB, BUN/Cr, and the nomogram prediction model were 0.756, 0.671, 0.685, 0.707, 0.796, and 0.941, respectively. Delong analysis revealed that the nomogram prediction model had the highest AUC and the best prediction performance (P<0.05). At the same time, the sensitivity and specificity of nomogram prediction model were the highest, which were 85.2% and 87.8% respectively.

The nomogram prediction model constructed in this study, which integrates endoscopic local features (Forrest high-risk grading, ulcer diameter >2 cm) and systemic serum biomarker (ALB), and incorporates SI and BUN/Cr, can effectively identify high-risk patients with poor prognosis after PUB. This model integrates the "local-systemic" risk dimension, and its predictive performance is significantly better than traditional single-index or scoring systems that rely solely on clinical parameters, providing a new approach for early stratified intervention in clinical practice.

To investigate the correlation between the imaging features of small bowel CT enterography (CTE) and the levels of serum systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and fecal calprotectin (FC) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of single and combined detection of CTE, SII and FC for disease activity.

A retrospective study was conducted. A total of 208 patients with CD who visited the Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Radiology, Zhangjiagang Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University between January 2023 and May 2026 were enrolled as research subjects. Clinical data of the patients were retrieved from the hospital's electronic medical record system and picture archiving and communication system. All enrolled patients underwent small bowel CTE, blood routine tests related to SII and quantitative FC detection simultaneously. Two radiologists with more than 10 years of experience in abdominal imaging diagnosis independently completed the evaluation of CTE imaging features by a blind method, and the patients were grouped accordingly. The Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) was used as the gold standard for the judgment of disease activity. Point-biserial correlation and Spearman rank correlation were used to analyze the correlation between CTE imaging features and serum SII and FC, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of single and combined detection of each index for disease activity.

Patients with positive CTE imaging features including stratified enhancement, comb sign, bowel wall ulceration, intestinal stenosis, mesenteric fibrofatty proliferation, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy had significantly higher serum SII and FC levels than those without the corresponding imaging features (P<0.001). The thicker the bowel wall and the higher the ΔCT value of the bowel wall, the higher the serum SII and FC levels of the patients, with statistically significant differences between groups (P<0.001). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that all included CTE imaging features were significantly positively correlated with serum SII and FC (P<0.001), among which bowel wall thickness had the strongest correlation with FC (r=0.785). ROC curve analysis showed that the combined model constructed by binary Logistic regression of CTE, serum SII and FC had the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.884 for diagnosing CD activity, with a sensitivity of 90.57% and a specificity of 79.63%, which was significantly higher than that of each single index (P<0.05). Among the single indexes, FC had the best diagnostic efficacy (AUC=0.796), followed by the comprehensive CTE imaging score (AUC=0.785), and serum SII also had good diagnostic value (AUC=0.742). The diagnostic efficacy of each single index was statistically significant (P<0.001).

There exists a significant positive correlation between the small intestinal CTE features of patients with CD and their serum SII and FC levels. CTE, serum SII and FC can all effectively evaluate the disease activity of CD. Combined detection of the three indicators can significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy for CD disease activity, and provide a reliable basis for non-invasive and accurate assessment of CD conditions in clinical practice.

To explore the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) detection of portal vein congestion index (PV-CI) and splenic vein hemodynamic parameters [main splenic vein diameter (SVD), mean splenic vein velocity (SVV), and splenic vein blood flow volume (SVQ)] in the risk assessment of esophageal and gastric fundus varices (EGFV) in liver cirrhosis.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 70 patients with liver cirrhosis admitted to NO. 215th Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry from March 2022 to March 2025. All underwent CDUS examination to measure PV-CI, SVD, SVV, and SVQ, and gastroscopy was performed to confirm the presence of EGFV and assess its severity. Based on endoscopic findings, patients were categorized into an EGFV group (n=42) and a non-EGFV group (n=28), the EGFV group was further subdivided by variceal severity into mild group (n=15), moderate group (n=17), and severe group (n=10). The EGFV group underwent 12-month follow-up to record esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding (EVB), categorizing patients into bleeding group (n=25) and non-bleeding group (n=17). Differences in parameters across groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of individual parameters and combined assessment in predicting EVB.

The PV-CI, SVD and SVQ in the EGFV group were significantly higher than those in the non-EGFV group, and the SVV was significantly lower than that in the non-EGFV group (P<0.05); the aggravation of EGFV degree, PV-CI, SVD and SVQ gradually increased, while SVV gradually decreased, there were statistically significant differences between the severe group and the mild and moderate groups (P<0.05); the PV-CI, SVD and SVQ in the bleeding group were significantly higher than those in the non-EGFV group, and the SVV was significantly lower than that in the non-bleeding group (P<0.05); the ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of the combined assessment of EVB by PV-CI, SVD, SVQ and SVV were significantly higher than those detected separately by each index (P<0.05).

The PV-CI and splenic venous hemodynamic parameters detected by CDUS are closely related to the occurrence, severity and EVB risk of liver cirrhosis EGFV, the combined assessment can improve the predictive efficiency of EGFV risk and provide a non-invasive and convenient assessment reference basis for clinical practice.

To explore the influencing factors of post endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) electrocoagulation syndrome (PEECS) in esophageal tumors, construct a nomogram prediction model, and validate it.

A total of 1 336 patients with esophageal tumor admitted to Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2024 were selected as the study objects. Clinical data such as gender, tumor location and pathological classification of patients were collected. Patients were randomly divided into modeling group and validation group at a ratio of 7∶3, and clinical data of patients in the two groups were compared. The clinical data of patients in the modeling group were used, and the occurrence of PEECS was taken as the dependent variable to conduct univariate and multi-factor analysis. Based on the results of multi-factor analysis, the nomogram model was constructed, and the differentiation, prediction accuracy, fit degree and clinical effectiveness of the model were verified.

Among 1 336 patients, 135 developed PEECS, with an incidence rate of 10.10%. Based on the clinical data of patients in the modeling group, the results of single factor analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between non PEECS and PEECS patients in gender, pathological classification, tumor nature, intraoperative bleeding, diabetes, age, tumor diameter, and operation time (P<0.05); Multivariate analysis showed that gender (OR=3.228, 95% CI: 1.521-6.851), diabetes (OR=7.666, 95% CI: 1.614-36.400), tumor diameter (OR=1.240, 95% CI: 1.167-1.317), and operation time (OR=1.185, 95% CI: 1.142-1.230) were all independent risk factors for PEECS in patients with esophageal tumors (P<0.05). A nomogram graphical model was constructed based on the results of the multifactorial analysis of the modeling group, and the results of the ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC=0.954 (95% CI: 0.930-0.979); the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that χ²=3.678 (P=0.885). The results of the DCA curves and the CIC analyses showed that, with the risk thresholds in the range of 0.0 to 1.0, the use of the model to predict PEECS in esophageal tumors resulted in a high positive net benefit, and the use of the model was more accurate in predicting whether PEECS occurred in esophageal tumors.

This study constructs a nomogram model with good discrimination and high prediction accuracy for PEECS in esophageal tumors, which has good clinical efficacy and can provide reference for early intervention of PEECS in esophageal tumor patients.

To develop an individualized nomogram based on contrast-enhanced CT for adjuvant diagnosis of the status of Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) in gastric cancer.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and CT data of gastric cancer patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, who were confirmed to have EBV status by gross pathological histology from December 2016 to December 2023. The patients were divided into the EBV-positive group (n=36) and the EBV-negative group (n=95). Two radiologists assessed qualitative and quantitative features of lesions on the enhanced CT. Consistency of the quantitative data was evaluated using Bland-Altman tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen out independent predictive factors and establish a combined model, which was then visualized using a nomogram. Discriminative ability of the nomogram and individual predictors was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the differences in AUC values were compared using the DeLong test.

Good consistency was found between the two radiologists' measurements using the Bland-Altman analysis. The ratio of arterial phase lesion CT value to abdominal aorta CT value (Ra), enhancement homogeneity, and maximum tumor length were identified as independent predictors for predicting the EBV expression status of gastric cancer before surgery. Their AUC values were 0.620, 0.722, and 0.713, respectively. The nomogram combining these factors had an AUC of 0.817 and accuracy of 0.748. DeLong test showed no significant differences among individual predictors (P>0.05), but the combined model significantly outperformed any single factor (P<0.05).

The personalized nomogram established based on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of enhanced CT can non-invasively assist in the diagnosis of EBV status in patients with gastric cancer and can be used as a supplementary tool for pathological detection.

To investigate the role of NPC2 (Niemann-Pick C2) protein in gastric cancer cells and its regulatory mechanisms through the MEK/ERK and JNK signaling pathways.

The expression levels of NPC2 in normal human cells and gastric carcinoma cell lines were detected. The cell proliferation, cloning, migration and invasion abilities were evaluated, and the phosphorylation levels of the pathways were detected.

NPC2 expression in gastric cancer cells was significantly higher than that in normal epithelial cells, with the highest expression observed in AGS cells (P<0.01). Knockdown of NPC2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities (P<0.05). NPC2 knockdown also resulted in a significant decrease in the phosphorylation levels of the MEK/ERK and JNK pathways (P<0.05). Overexpression of NPC2 promoted AGS cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion (P<0.05), while the MEK/ERK and JNK pathway inhibitor E6201 inhibited these biological processes.

NPC2 promotes the progression of gastric cancer by activating the MEK/ERK and JNK signaling pathways, and may represent a potential therapeutic target.

To investigate the diagnostic value of 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring combined with serum gastrin, pepsinogenⅠ(PGⅠ), and pepsinogenⅡ(PGⅡ) for gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 158 patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain who were admitted to Tongliao People's Hospital from December 2023 to October 2025. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of gastroesophageal reflux: the gastroesophageal reflux group and the non-reflux group (patients with related chest pain but without gastroesophageal reflux). The general data, 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring results, and serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ levels between patients with gastroesophageal reflux and those without reflux were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors for the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain. ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the value of 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring alone, as well as its combination with serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain. Internal validation was performed using Bootstrap sampling with 100 iterations of cross-validation. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the goodness-of-fit of the diagnostic model combining 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring with serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ levels for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain.

Among 158 patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain, 80 were diagnosed with the condition. Patients in the gastroesophageal reflux group exhibited higher rates of acid reflux episodes, longer mean acid clearance times, and more frequent gas reflux episodes compared to patients in the non-reflux group (P<0.05). The levels of gastrin and PGⅡ in the gastroesophageal reflux group were lower than those in the non-reflux group, while the level of PGⅠ was higher than that in the non-reflux group (P<0.05). The number of acid reflux episodes, mean acid clearance time, number of gas reflux episodes, and serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ levels were factors influencing the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain (P<0.05). The value of 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring combined with serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ levels demonstrated superior diagnostic value for gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain compared to standalone diagnosis (P<0.05). Internal validation results from Bootstrap resampling indicated that the calibration curve was essentially consistent with the ideal curve. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated that the diagnostic model exhibited good goodness-of-fit.

The levels of serum gastrin and PGⅡ in patients with gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain decrease, while the level of PGⅠ increases. The 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring combined with serum gastrin, PGⅠ, and PGⅡ levels has a relatively high value in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux-related chest pain.

To investigate the risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), and to develop and validate a nomogram prediction model.

A retrospective cohort of 242 patients diagnosed with SCH and MASLD at Yongzhou Central Hospital between December 2022 and December 2025 was enrolled. All patients underwent transient elastography (FibroScan) to obtain liver stiffness measurements (LSM) and were accordingly divided into significant liver fibrosis group (n=68) and non-significant liver fibrosis group (n=174). Clinical data of the two groups were subjected to Lasso regression for dimensionality reduction, followed by multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of significant liver fibrosis, and a nomogram prediction model was subsequently constructed. The discrimination and calibration of the model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method (1 000 resamples) to assess model stability.

Body mass index (BMI), thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), triglyceride (TG), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR), gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), and platelet count in the significant liver fibrosis group were higher than those in the nonsignificant liver fibrosis group, and the proportion of type 2 diabetes mellitus was also increased (all P<0.05). TSH, HOMA-IR, GGT, platelet count, and CAP were identified as independent influencing factors for significant liver fibrosis (all P<0.05). The nomogram model integrating the above five indicators achieved an AUC of 0.955, which was superior to each individual indicator (all P<0.05), with a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 92.0%.

The nomogram incorporating TSH, HOMA-IR, GGT, platelet count, and CAP provides an accurate estimate of the probability of significant liver fibrosis in patients with SCH and MASLD. The ROC and calibration analyses confirm its satisfactory discrimination and goodness-of-fit. This model offers good clinical applicability and may serve as a practical reference tool for early screening and risk stratification in this population.

To investigate the efficacy of Sini San combined with conventional Western medicine in treating elderly patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its effects on cytokines.

A total of 100 elderly patients with refractory GERD (liver-gastric disharmony syndrome) who were admitted to Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2024 to November 2025 were selected as the research subjects, they were randomly divided into a control group (receiving conventional Western medicine treatment) and a study group (receiving conventional Western medicine treatment combined with Sini San therapy) according to the random number table method, with 50 cases in each group. The clinical effects, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores, serum cytokines, and esophageal motility indicators were compared between the two groups.

The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome scores and GERDQ scores of the study group at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The vasoactive peptides in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while the gastrin, and motilin were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The lying position and standing position reflux time of the study group were shorter than those of the control group, and the resting pressure of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05).

Sini San combined with conventional Western medicine in the treatment of elderly patients with refractory GERD (liver-stomach disharmony syndrome) can significantly improve clinical efficacy, improve TCM syndromes, regulate the secretion of gastrointestinal-related cytokines.

To investigate the effects of postoperative administration of Modified Wusi Decoction on postoperative recovery, complications, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes, and clinical efficacy in patients with choledocholithiasis following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary suture.

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 98 patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from January 2019 to December 2024 were continuously enrolled and randomly divided into the observation group (n=49) and the control group (n=49) using a random number table. The control group received routine postoperative care, including anti-infection, liver protection, and symptomatic supportive therapy. The observation group received self-made Modified Wusi Decoction in addition to the routine care, starting after the recovery of anal exhaust. The decoction was administered at 125 mL per dose, twice daily, for two consecutive weeks. Perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, TCM symptom scores, postoperative functional recovery, and overall clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups.

The time to first ambulation was significantly shorter and intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group (6.12%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (16.33%), with no cases of residual stones in the observation group (P<0.05). Scores for TCM symptoms such as postoperative abdominal pain, bloating, and loss of appetite were all significantly lower in the observation group (P<0.05). The observation group showed greater improvement in liver function indicators (Total Bilirubin (TBIL), Direct Bilirubin (DBIL), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)), shorter time to intestinal function recovery and first postoperative feeding, and significantly lower 24-hour postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption compared to the control group (P<0.05). The total clinical effective rate was 100.00% in the observation group, significantly higher than the 83.67% in the control group (P<0.05).

The application of Modified Wusi Decoction following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary suture can effectively promote postoperative recovery, reduce the incidence of complications, significantly improve TCM syndromes and liver function, alleviate postoperative pain, and enhance overall clinical efficacy. It represents a safe and effective therapeutic strategy integrating Chinese and Western medicine.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of Moluodan combined with argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with intestinal metaplasia.

A retrospective study was conducted to collect clinical data of 119 patients with CAG accompanied by intestinal metaplasia admitted to XD Group Hospital from April 2024 to May 2025. They were divided into a control group (59 cases, treated with APC) and an observation group (60 cases, treated with APC+Moluodan) according to different treatment methods. The clinical efficacy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, gastroscopy mucosal sign scores, gastrointestinal function indicators, and inflammatory factor levels were compared between the two groups. Adverse reactions were recorded.

Compared with the control group, the observation group demonstrated a higher overall response rate [49 (83.05) vs. 57(95.00), P<0.05]. At 6 months of treatment, the observation group showed lower endoscopic mucosal sign scores and TCM syndrome scores than the control group (P<0.05). At 6 months of treatment, the observation group exhibited superior gastrointestinal function indicators and inflammatory cytokine levels compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).

The combination of Moluodan and APC has a significant therapeutic effect on CAG with intestinal metaplasia. It can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms, promote mucosal repair, regulate gastrointestinal function, reduce inflammatory reactions, and has good safety.

To investigate the effects of remimazolam tosylate combined with sufentanil on postoperative cellular immune function, recovery quality, and pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

A total of 90 elderly patients with LC who were admitted to No.215 Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry from January 2024 to June 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 45 cases in each group. The control group received sufentanil anesthesia, while the observation group received combined remimazolam tosylate anesthesia. The awakening quality (recovery time, spontaneous breathing recovery time, extubation time), the changes in T lymphocyte levels (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺), serum-related indicators [adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), substance P (SP)], and inflammatory factors [interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP)], tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] before and 24 hours after the operation, as well as the occurrence of PPCs within 7 days after the operation were compared between the two groups.

The anesthesia recovery time, the time for spontaneous breathing restoration, and the extubation time in the observation group were all shorter than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 24 hours after the operation, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ in both groups decreased prominently, while the CD8⁺, levels of serum ACTH, 5-HT, SP, IL-6, CRP and TNF-α increased prominently. However, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while the CD8⁺, levels of serum ACTH, 5-HT, SP, IL-6, CRP and TNF-α were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The observation group had a lower incidence of PPCs than the control group (P<0.05).

The combination of remimazolam tosylate and sufentanil in the anesthesia of elderly patients undergoing LC has a better effect. It is more conducive to regulating T lymphocyte subsets and improving the quality of recovery, reducing stress and inflammatory responses, and lowering the incidence of PPCs.

To explore the effect of acupoint application combined with Yichang Tongmi Decoction on gastrointestinal hormones and intestinal flora in patients with slow-transit constipation (STC).

A prospective randomized controlled trial design was used. A total of 180 patients with STC of spleen-kidney yang deficiency type admitted to Shanghai Pudong New Area Zhoupu Hospital (Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences) from June 2023 to June 2025 were selected as the research subjects. According to the block randomization method, the patients were divided into three groups, with 60 patients in each group. The patients in the acupoint application group received acupoint application, the patients in the traditional Chinese medicine group received Yichang Tongmi Decoction, and the patients in the combined group received acupoint application combined with Yichang Tongmi Decoction. The clinical efficacy, symptom scores before and after treatment, patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL), levels of gastrointestinal hormones (gastrin and pepsinogen Ⅰ and Ⅱ), and changes in intestinal flora were compared.

The overall response rate in the combined group was 90%, which was significantly higher than that in the acupoint application group (70%) and the traditional Chinese medicine group (75%). The symptom scores and PAC-QOL score of the patients in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the acupoint application group and the traditional Chinese medicine group (all P<0.05). The levels of pepsinogen Ⅰ and gastrin in the combined group were significantly higher while the level of pepsinogen Ⅱ was lower than those in the acupoint application group and the traditional Chinese medicine group (all P<0.05). Bifidobacteria and lactobacillus in the combined group were higher while Escherichia coli and Enterococcus were significantly lower than those in the acupoint application group and the traditional Chinese medicine group (all P<0.05).

Acupoint application combined with Yichang Tongmi Decoction effectively treats STC, alleviating clinical symptoms, improving colonic transit function, and balancing intestinal flora and gastrointestinal hormone levels.