Dyslipidemia (DL) is a metabolic disorder characterized by an imbalance of blood lipid components, serving as a leading silent cause of dangerous cardiovascular diseases and increased mortality risk globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases account for 32% of all deaths worldwide, with dyslipidemia playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of 85% of fatalities caused by heart attacks and strokes. Although current management primarily relies on lifestyle modifications and lipid-lowering medications such as statins, fibrates, or niacin, some patients still encounter difficulties due to inadequate treatment response, adverse side effects, or poor long-term compliance. In this context, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies are increasingly being widely applied, either as monotherapy or in combination with Western medicine. Notably, auricular acupuncture-a method focusing on specific acupoints on the ear-has been recognized for its great potential in modulating lipid profiles, particularly demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in patients with Phlegm-Dampness syndrome.
Theoretically and clinically, Phlegm-Dampness syndrome is inextricably linked to the pathogenesis and progression of dyslipidemia (DL); furthermore, clinical research in China indicates that the Phlegm pattern accounts for the highest proportion among the five traditional syndromes of this condition, and a greater severity of Phlegm-Dampness correlates positively with higher levels of TC and LDL-c. In terms of treatment, auricular pellets (a modality of auricular acupuncture) have been demonstrated to improve cardiovascular health by reducing TC, LDL-c, and TGR levels while elevating HDL-c in obese patients with mild-to-moderate DL. In Vietnam, however, studies evaluating the application of auricular pellets in patients with DL remain limited, primarily focusing on individuals with simple overweight or obesity without documented concurrent metabolic disorders. Notably, a study by Nguyen Vu Thien Duyen (2021) reported that a 3-acupoint formula consisting of Hunger (TGR3), Stomach (CO4), and Endocrine (CO18) effectively reduced lipid profiles to a moderate extent in obese individuals.
Given the limitations in evaluating therapeutic efficacy and the scarcity of published studies discussing the effects of lowering blood lipid profiles and alleviating Phlegm-Dampness symptoms for this specific pattern in Vietnam, the investigators conducted this study to evaluate the degree of lipid profile reduction and the clinical symptom improvement of the Phlegm-Dampness syndrome using auricular acupuncture in patients with dyslipidemia presenting with the Phlegm-Dampness syndrome.