[Comparative study on clinical efficacy of using methotrexate singly or combined with total glucosides of Paeony in treating rheumatoid arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the clinical efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) combined with total glucosides of Peony (TGP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Sixty-one RA patients were divided into 2 groups, 30 patients in the MTX group were only administered orally with MTX, while 31 patients in the combined treated group were treated with MTX plus TGP, the therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months.


RESULTS
The total effective rate was 90%, 94%, 100% in the MTX plus TGP group, and 87%, 90%, 94% in the MTX group at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment respectively, comparison of the therapeutic effect between the two groups showed insignificant difference (P > 0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the level of C-reactive protein were significantly decreased in both groups, but the decrement in the MTX plus TGP group was more than those in the MTX group.


CONCLUSIONS
MTX plus TGP treatment is characterized by quick initiating, with stable clinical efficacy, few side effects and high compliance, it is more suitable for aged RA patients.
Du
Jun-hong
JH
Department of Rheumatic Disease, Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Lanzhou. yangvim@163.com
Dong
Bing-dan
BD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005960:Glucosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D029596:Paeonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005960:Glucosides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008727:Methotrexate