Clinical observation and effect of stains collapse of traditional Chinese medicine in combination with tumor necrosis factor antagonist in treating ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical effect, safety of stains collapse of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) antagonist-a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc fusion protein (rhTNF:Fc) and sulfasalazine (SSZ) in treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods A total of 98 patients of AS of Gansu Provincial Hospital were divided into two groups in random, the western medicine group (rhTNF:Fc and SSZ, n=46) and the combining group (stains collapse of TCM, rhTNF:Fc and SSZ, n=52). The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Patient Global Assessment (PGA), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of night pain, VAS of total pain, time of morning stiffness, TCM symptom score, distance between occipital and wall, distance between finger and ground, thoracic activity, Schober test, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), adverse reactions before and after treatment were observed and the clinical effect was evaluated in two groups. Results A total of 86 patients achieved the study finally, 45 patients in the combining group and 41 patients in the western medicine group. The effective rate of ASAS20 was better in the combining group than that in the western medicine group(χ2=4.814, P=0.028), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) 50 showed no significant difference between the two group (χ2=0.100, P=0.752). The total effective rate in the combining group than that in the western medicine group(χ2=3.873, P= 0.049). In comparison with the same group before treatment, the above indicators were improved after treatment (P 0.05). The adverse reactions showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions Stains collapse of TCM combined with rhTNF:Fc was more effective than single method in treatment of AS, it can alleviated the symptoms, body signs and body function, decrease indexes of inflammation, which has dramatic effect and good safety in clinic. Key words: Spondylitis, ankylosing; Observation; Nursing care; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Stains collapse of traditional Chinese medicine