Clinical study on systemic sclerosis treated by EDTA, Danshen injection in combination with low-dose prednisone

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Danshen injection, low-dose prednisone in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods 32 patients with SSc were treated by the combination of EDTA, Danshen injection and prednisone. EDTA (1 g) were given by intravenous infusion once daily for 12 days with an interval of 2 days, once a month for four times, Danshen injection (30 ml) were given by intravenous infusion once daily, and prednisone [0.5 mg/(kg·d)] were given orally twice daily, with gradual reduction to 10~15 mg/d after 1 month or symptom improvement. Changes in the skin tightness were evaluated using self-evaluation and the modified Rodnan score. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reaction protein (CRP) were investigated. Results 31 of the 32 patients finished the treatment. The total effective rate evaluated by patients themselves was 87.10%. The modified Rodnan score after treatment was (11.26±5.28), significantly lower than that before treatment (22.48±9.02), P0.01. The levels of ESR, CRP were significantly decreased after treatment (P0.05 or P0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions was 6.25%. Conclusion The treatment of SSc by EDTA, Danshen injection in combination with low-dose prednisone can quickly and significantly improve the symptoms of skin tightness and inflammatory indices, with fewer adverse reactions.