Objective To summarize and analyze the compatibility laws and the characteristics of acupoint selection in the treatment of gout by acupuncture over the past 16 years.Methods "Gout"and"acupuncture"or"electroacupuncture"were used as search terms in the CNKI

VIP

Wanfang and PubMed databases to retrieve relevant literature.The frequency of the main acupoints and auxiliary acupoints were summarized

respectively.Association rule and hierarchical clustering analysis were used to analyze the possible rules for selecting the main acupoints.Results One hundred and eighteen studies met the inclusiven criteria

and involved 67 main acupoints with a frequency of all points of 630.The most commonly used acupoints were Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Ashi point

Zusanli(ST 36)

Yinlingquan(SP 9)

and Taichong(LR 3).The main acupoints mainly belonged to the Spleen Meridian of Foot-taiyin

Stomach Meridian of Foot-yangming and Liver Meridian of Foot-jueyin.Association rule analysis showed that Ashi point

Zusanli(ST 36)and Sanyinjiao(SP 6)had the highest correlation of all the selected acupoints.The cluster analysis showed five core clustering groups.Conclusion Acupuncture treatment of gout focuses on acupoints along meridians and the acupoints around the affected joint.The main principles in the treatment of gout are invigorating Spleen

tonifying Kidney

dissipating dampness

resolving blood stasis

clearing away heat

removing toxic substances

soothing Liver

regulating qi

dredging collaterals and relieving pain.