Implantación de catgut en puntos de acupuntura en un paciente con porfiria

Abstract

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disease caused by a defect in the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase which catalyses the third stage of haem synthesis. Acupuncture could be a complementary mechanism in the treatment of porphyria patients because of its self-regulatory mechanism.

To evaluate the therapeutic response to the treatment of catgut implantation in acupuncture points in a patient with Intermittent Acute Porphyria.

A clinical case is presented on patient whose debut was made during the postpartum period by presenting with sensory motor polyneuropathy, waking-up depression, and hyponatraemia, and required admission to intensive care.

The immunological diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of porphyrins in the urine. Hospitalisation time at the time of diagnosis was 30 days. There was an average of two 7-day hospital stays per year during the first three years. She had a good response to haematin. She also received a diet rich in carbohydrates as maintenance treatment. Atenolol 50 mg day, folic acid, vitamin b, clonazepam and chlorpromazine.

After starting treatment with catgut implants in acupuncture points, the patient had an attack in the first 6 months of treatment, remaining asymptomatic since then, and now 5 years without symptoms.

In addition to the absence of painful and neuropathic symptoms, she obtained benefits in the regularisation of her menstrual cycles, better tolerance to stress, and a significant improvement in her quality of life. She is currently functioning in full at a personal, family, and professional level.