Modified Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction Oral Administration Combined with Sequential Herbal Compress Therapy for Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with Cold-Dampness Stagnation: A Clinical Efficacy Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and impact on patients’ quality of life of the combined treatment of modified Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction for oral administration and sequential herbal compress therapy in treating sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) characterized by cold-damp stagnation. Methods: A total of 80 patients with cold-damp stagnation-type SPID who visited Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital) from January 2024 to January 2026 were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group (40 patients each) using a random number table. The control group received levofloxacin combined with metronidazole, while the observation group received the same regimen plus oral administration of modified Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction combined with sequential herbal compress therapy (Tazhi). Both groups underwent treatment for 4 weeks. Clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome scores, local physical signs scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, McCormack scores, SF-36 quality of life scores, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results: The overall response rate in the observation group was 92.50%, higher than the 75.00% in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome scores, local physical signs scores, VAS scores, and McCormack scores in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); the SF-36 scores for bodily pain, physical functioning, role-physical, and general health were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The sequential therapy combining oral administration of modified Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction with herbal compress therapy demonstrates significant efficacy in treating SPID of the cold-damp stagnation pattern. It effectively improves patients’ clinical symptoms, physical signs, and quality of life, alleviates pain, and is safe and reliable.