Clinical effects of sulfasalazine combined with leflunomide on ankylosing spondylitis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of sulfasalazine(SSZ)combined with leflunomide(LEF)in the treatment for ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods Seventy two patients with AS were randomly divided into treatment group(SSZ+LEF)and control group[SSZ+methotrexate(MTX)].The duration of low back pain and morning stiffness,number of painful joints,thoracic expanding degree,distance between fingers and ground,Bath AS activity index(DASDAI),Bath AS functional index(DASFI),and levels of ESR and CRP were recorded before and 6 and 12 months after treatment.Results The effective rates of treatment group and control group 12 months after treatment were 94.44%and 83.33%,respectively(P0.05).The duration of low back pain and morning stiffness,number of painful joints,thoracic expanding degree,distance between fingers and ground,DASDAI,DASFI,and levels of ESR and CRP were improved 6 and 12 months after treatment(P0.05). The duration of low back pain and morning stiffness,DASDAI,and levels of ESR and CRP in treatment group were improved than those in control group(P0.05),and the rates of adverse reaction were lower(P0.05). Conclusions SSZ combined with LEF can effectively treat AS with little adverse reaction.