Combination of “Bushen Jiedu Formula”and methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy ofBushen Jiedu Formulaand methotrexate in treating rheumatoid arthritis( RA) in active stage. Methods Sixty cases with RA were randomized into treatment group and control group,with 30 cases in each group. Control group was treated by methotrexate,and treatment group was added withBushen Jiedu Formula,with the course of 3 months. The clinical efficacy,adverse effect,and scores of DAS28,HAQ,CRP,and ESR were compared before and after treatment. Results 1 The total effective rate was 75. 86% in the treatment group and 40. 74% in the control group,with a difference between the two groups( P 0. 05). 2 In each group,there were significant differences in the levels of DAS28,HAQ,ESR and CRP between before and after treatment( P 0. 05); after treatment,significant differences were found in the levels of DAS28,HAQ and CRP between the two groups( P 0. 05).3 No adverse effect was found in the treatment group during the therapeutic period,and one adverse event was found in the control group. Conclusion CombinedBushen Jiedu Formulaand methotrexate has positive effect on rheumatoid arthritis. It can improve the function of joint,and has less adverse effects.