RESUMO
[Objective] To investigate the synergistic action of fuming-washing therapy with Qingbixifang ( a herbal lotion mainly composed of Herba Siegesbeckiae, Cortex Phellodendri, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Herba Ecliptae, Nidus Vespae, Olibanum, Myrrha, etc.) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with heat retention. [Methods] Sixty patients of RA with heat retention were randomized into groups A and B. Group A ( n = 30) was treated by fuming and washing the affected part with Qingbixifang, and taking Tongbiling Tablets and nimesulide; group B (n = 30) was treated by taking Tongbiling Tablets and nimesulide only. The treatment course of the two groups lasted one month. The time of morning stiffness, grip strength, the number of joints with tenderness, tenderness index, resting pain in joints, the number of swelling joints, swelling index, evaluation by patients themselves and by the doctor were compared before and after treatment. Laboratory parameters such as blood rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet (PLT) count were also observed before and after treatment. [Results] The total effective rate was 90.0% in group A and 66.7% in group B, the difference being significant (P