A randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial of topical Tripterygium wilfordii in rheumatoid arthritis: reanalysis using logistic regression analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of topical Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), a Chinese herbal therapy, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
A 6 week randomized double blind placebo controlled study of 61 patients with RA meeting American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria was conducted in China. The primary outcome was a modified ACR-20 response rate, analyzed by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The modified ACR-20 response rate differed significantly (topical TW 58% vs placebo 20%; p = 0.002). There was an 8.1-fold (95% CI 1.9-35.4) increase in the modified ACR-20 response for the TW compared to the placebo group, adjusted for age and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical TW appears efficacious for the treatment of RA, but larger studies are needed.
Cibere
Jolanda
J
Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and the Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Deng
Zhaozhi
Z
Lin
Yuanchang
Y
Ou
Runmei
R
He
Yiting
Y
Wang
Zhiqiang
Z
Thorne
Anona
A
Lehman
Allen J
AJ
Tsang
Ian K
IK
Esdaile
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D029757:Tripterygium
D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations