Clinical research for curing ankylosing spondylitis through combining etanercept, thalidomide and sulfasalazine

ABSTRACT

This article is to explore the curative effect of treating ankylosing spondylitis [AS] through combining etanercept, thalidomide and sulfasalazine. Sixty-two patients with AS were divided into 3 groups experimental group A is treated by etanercept + thalidomide + sulfasalazine for 1 year [n=22]; control group B was treated with etanercept; control group C was treated with thalidomide + sulfasalazine for 1 year [n=20]. In 1[st], 3[rd], 6[th], 12th month after the treatment, ASAS20 and ASAS50 were obtained through Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index [BASDAI], Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index [BASFI], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C react protein [CRP] and then curative effect was analyzed. In 1 and 3 months after the treatment, each indicator had downtrend, and ASAS20 of experimental group and etanercept control group reached 100%; ASAS50 increased compared with the first months' treatment; although ASAS20 and ASAS50 in thalidomide control group was smaller, they increased; in 6 and 12 months after the treatment, ASAS20 improvement ratio in group A still remained on 100%, ASA50 improvement ratio increased; recurrence rate of group B increased; ASA20 and ASA50 had a continuous and significant increase, but its their was less than group A. This study proved that, the effect of curing AS combining etanercept, thalidomide and sulfasalazine is better, therefore, it is a high-feasible treatment approach: