To observe the clinical efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) combined with total glucosides of Peony (TGP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Sixty-one RA patients were divided into 2 groups, 30 patients in the MTX group were only administered orally with MTX, while 31 patients in the combined treated group were treated with MTX plus TGP, the therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months.
The total effective rate was 90%, 94%, 100% in the MTX plus TGP group, and 87%, 90%, 94% in the MTX group at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment respectively, comparison of the therapeutic effect between the two groups showed insignificant difference (P > 0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the level of C-reactive protein were significantly decreased in both groups, but the decrement in the MTX plus TGP group was more than those in the MTX group.
MTX plus TGP treatment is characterized by quick initiating, with stable clinical efficacy, few side effects and high compliance, it is more suitable for aged RA patients.