Clinical Observation of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Modified Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction plus slowly-available antirheumatic drugs were used for 36 cases(treatment group),and 27 cases(control group) were treated only with slowly-available antirheumatic drugs.After treatment,the changes of symptoms and joint function were investigated.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),rheumatoid factor(RF),blood routine examination indexes,and liver and kidney function were also examined.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.67%,superior to 66.67% in the control group(P0.05).After treatment for 3 months,the differences of clinical symptoms relief and biochemical parameters were significant between both groups(P0.05),indicating that the treatment group had better effect on improving time of joint stiff in the morning,number of swelling and painful joints,ESR,C-reactive protein(CRP),and RF.The average time for starting an effect was shorter in the treatment group than that in the control group(P0.05).Adverse reaction was found in 2 cases(5.56%) from the treatment group(one case of skin rash,and one case of leucopenia),and occurred in 4 cases(14.81%) from the control group(one case of hepatic disfunction,one case of leucopenia,one case of nausea,and one case of weakness),the difference being insignificant(P 0.05).Conclusion:Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction and slowly-available antirheumatic drugs of methotrexate and sulfasalazine show certain effect for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.