Efficacy and Safety of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid in Patients with Stable Long-Standing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective. Our study is aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of Qiwei Tongbi oral liquid in patients with stable long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method. 140 patients with stable long-standing RA were recruited into the Qiwei Tongbi oral liquid group or the control group. At study recruitment and after 12 weeks of treatment, their C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 were compared in two groups. Results. Patients in the Qiwei Tongbi oral liquid group had a lower level of CRP, IL-6, VAS scale, and HAQ score compared to patients in the control group (CRP: $3.51\pm 1.57$ vs $.$ $5.47\pm 1.72$  mg/L, $P<0.001$ ; IL-6: $1.62\pm 0.8$ vs. $2.19\pm 0.88$  pg/mL, $P<0.001$ ; VAS scale: $1.59\pm 0.69$ vs. $2.66\pm 1.02$ , $P<0.001$ ; and HAQ score: $1.19\pm 0.46$ vs. $1.41\pm 0.50$ , $P=0.005$ ). The ESR and DAS28 did not reach statistical difference. No damage to liver and kidney functions was observed in both groups. Conclusion. Qiwei Tongbi oral liquid has the tendency to decrease the inflammation levels and pain score and improve patients’ outcomes in patients with stable long-standing RA.