title: Traditional Chinese medication for rheumatoid arthritis: more than what meets the eye.
abstract: There is an increasing interest in the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as evidenced by recent trials comparing their efficacy against established disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. While the TCM in these trials seem to support a favorable cost-benefit ratio, many products are marketed under the guise of TCM, potentially exposing the user to unpredicted adverse events. We present the case of a patient with RA, who developed side effects from treatment with adulterated TCM. While TCM may be of value in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, their application in routine care continues to warrant careful consideration of safety and reliability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Level 10 Tower Block, Singapore, 119228, Singapore, amelia.santosa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santosa
authors.forename: P S L
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000737:chemistry; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000737:chemistry; D011241:Prednisone / Q000737:chemistry; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D010894:Piroxicam; D011241:Prednisone