Effect of combined application of iguratimod in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis on bone metabolism, Th17 cells and Treg cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to analyse the effect of combined application of iguratimod with methotrexate in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

A total of 115 patients with active RA admitted to our hospital were enrolled and divided into group A (n=58) and group B (n=57) according to the method of random number table. Patients in group B were treated with methotrexate alone, while patients in group A were treated with methotrexate combined with iguratimod. The curative efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

At 6 months after treatment, the levels of CTX-1 and RANKL in group A were higher than those in group B, and the levels of OPG, IL-17 and TGF-α in group A were lower than those in group B (<0.05). The level of Th17 cells in group A was higher than that in group B, and the level of Treg cells in group A was lower than that in group B at 6 months after treatment (<0.05). Tender joints count, swollen joints count and DAS28 score in group A were less than those in group B at 6 months after treatment (<0.05). The duration of morning stiffness of the joints and the score of joint pain degree in group A were less than those in group B at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months after treatment (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combined application of methotrexate and iguratimod in the treatment of active RA can effectively improve bone metabolism, regulate the levels of Th17 and Treg cells, play a prominent role in anti-inflammatory effect, and relieve symptoms, and thus achieve a more satisfactory curative effect.