Effect of etanercept, infliximab and methotrexate in the treatment of arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joint, leading to damage of bone and surrounding cartilage.


OBJECTIVES
Our study was designed to find the efficacy of etanercept, infliximab and methotrexate in effective therapeutic management against arthritis patients.


METHODS
A total of 315 patients, including both the sexes in the age group of 45-70 years with active rheumatoid arthritis attending Hospital of Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China during the period of December 2012 to November 2013 were included in the study. 100 patients with joint pains, but not with rheumatoid arthritis were taken as a control group. All the patients were treated with infliximab, methotrexate and etanercept.


RESULTS
In our study, patients responded, 75% to infliximab and etanercept combinations than to methotrexate. The combination therapy also showed a radiological decrease in the joint damage. There is significant when combinations of these drugs were used for the therapy (P<0.001).


CONCLUSION
In our study, use of infliximab and etanercept combinations lowered the joint damage and helped in the improvement of the patient's life.