As a systemic autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually causes damage not only to joints, but also to other tissues and organs including the heart, kidneys, lungs, digestive system, eyes, skin, and nervous system. Excessive complications are closely related to the prognosis of RA patients and even lead to increased mortality. This article summarizes the serious complications of RA, focusing on its incidence, pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment methods, aiming to provide a reference for clinicians to better manage the complications of RA.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, which can lead to joint destruction, dysfunction, finally deformity. Currently, Western medicine treats it with disease-modifying antireheumatic drugs, NSAIDs, glucocorticoid, biological agents, etc, which can induce adverse drug reactions. And now, as an important mean of treating RA, Zhuang medicine has been widely used in clinics, and has achieved significant efficacy. Methods and analysis: The following databases will be searched for relevant information before July 2020: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Major results: levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Rheumatoid factor. Secondary results: morning stiffness time, range of motion, arthralgia, joint tenderness index, joint swelling index, total effective rate, adverse event. Data will be collected independently by 2 researchers, and the risk of bias in meta analysis will be evaluated according to “Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions”. All data analysis will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3. and Stata V.12.0. Results: The curative effect and safety of traditional therapies of Zhuang Medicine treatment for RA patients will be evaluated systematically. Conclusion: The systematic review of this study will summarize the currently published evidence of traditional therapies of Zhuang Medicine treatment for RA to further guide its promotion and application. Open Science Framework (OSF) registration number: https://osf.io/c4xv3/ .

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the common gynecological diseases, the incidence of PD is on the rise and young women are more likely to have it, which seriously affects women's physical, mental health and work life. Intradermal acupuncture is effective in treating PD. However, due to the lack of evidence, there is no specific method or suggestion, so it is necessary to carry out systematic evaluation on intradermal acupuncture and provide effective evidence for further research. Methods: We will search the following electronic databases from their inception to July 2020: Electronic database includes PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Database WangFang, VIP medicine information, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure). Primary outcomes: the overall effective rate, VAS score. Secondary outcomes: blood serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prostaglandin F2α (PGF-2α), adverse events Data will be extracted by 2 researchers independently, risk of bias of the meta-analysis will be evaluated based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All data analysis will be conducted by data statistics software Review Manager V.5.3. and Stata V.12.0. Results: The results of this study will systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intradermal acupuncture in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Conclusion: The systematic review of this study will summarize the currently published evidence of intradermal acupuncture therapy for primary dysmenorrhea to further guide its promotion and application.

Background: A lot of attention has been given to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) as it poses considerable health risks to women. It is characterized by oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, infertility, autoimmune disorders, and ischemic heart disease, with increased mortality. Previous research indicates that auricular acupuncture is proven effective in treating POI in clinical practice. However, systematic review has not been carried out. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating the curative effect and safety of auricular acupuncture treatment for POI through systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods and analysis: The following databases will be searched for relevant information before August 2020: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI. Major results: levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estrogen (E2). Secondary results: modified Kupperman Index, imaging results including ovarian size, antral follicle count, and blood flow changes in the ovary using color Doppler ultrasound; total effective rate, adverse event and intervention, and hospitalization expenses. Data will be collected independently by 2 researchers, and the risk of bias in meta-analysis will be evaluated according to “Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions”. All data analysis will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3. and Stata V.12.0. Results: The curative effect and safety of auricular acupuncture treatment for POI patients will be evaluated systematically. Conclusion: In the systematic review, the published evidence of auricular acupuncture treatment for POI will be summarized to provide guidance for promotion and application. Ethics and dissemination: The private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also will not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval is not required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences. Open Science Framework (OSF) registration number: http://osf.io/tg9mw

Background: Endometriosis (EMT) is one of the common diseases of women of childbearing age. EMT destroys the anatomical structure of the pelvis, which leads to abnormal ovulation and endocrine abnormalities. It also affects embryo implantation and makes patients infertile. Recently, it is confirmed that Chinese medicine also have an excellent clinical efficacy on EMT. Compared with the conventional western medicine treatment, it effectively relieve pain and other concomitant symptoms. Methods and analysis: The following databases will be searched for relevant information before July 2020: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CNKI. Major results: the overall effective rate, VAS score. Secondary outcomes: blood serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), adverse events. Data will be collected independently by 2 researchers, and the risk of bias in meta-analysis will be evaluated according to “Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions”. All data analysis will be conducted using Review Manager V.5.3. and Stata V.12.0. Results: The curative effect and safety of Chinese herbal compound prescription treatment for EMT patients will be evaluated systematically. Conclusion: The systematic review of this study will summarize the currently published evidence of Chinese herbal compound prescription treatment for EMT to further guide its promotion and application. Ethics and dissemination: The private information from individuals will not be published. This systematic review also will not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval is not required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated in relevant conferences. Open Science Framework (OSF) registration number: https://osf.io/p5nrk .