ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Yishen-Tongdu decoction combined with sulfasalazine and meloxicamin for ankylosing spondylitis(AS).Methods A total of 86 AS patients were recruited and randomized into an observation group and a control group,43 in each group.The control group was treated by sulphasalazine and meloxicam,while the observation group was treated by Yishen-Tongdu decoction combined with sulfasalazine and meloxicam.The physical function and the disease activity were measured with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI),respectively.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined.Results The BASFI (3.25 ± 1.18 vs.4.18 ± 0.96;t=4.544,P＜0.01) and BASDAI (2.33 ± 1.46 vs.3.26 ± 1.43;t=5.245,P＜0.01) after treatment in the observation group were significantly decreased than those in the control group.Serum CRP level (8.62 ± 14.71 mg/L vs.12.57 ± 16.32 mg/L;t=3.143,P＜0.05) and ESR (14.93 ± 17.15 mm/h vs.18.61 ± 20.98 mm/h;t=3.615,P＜0.05) in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group.The occiput-wall distance (2.07 ± 0.59 vs.2.68 ±0.69 cm;t=5.332,P＜0.01),finger-floor distance (12.88 ± 1.92 vs.13.26 ± 1.71 cm;t=3.593,P＜0.05),and jaw-sternum distance (1.58 ± 0.63 vs.2.43 ± 0.64 cm;t=4.671,P＜0.01) in the observation group were significantly decreased than those in the control group,while the chest expansion (4.99 ± 0.73 cm vs.4.26 ± 0.68 cm;t=4.226,P＜0.01),and Schober test (6.57 ± 0.91 vs.6.13 ± 0.87em;t=3.733,P＜0.01) in the observation group were significantly increased than those in the control group.Conclusion Yishen-Tongdu decoction combined with sulfasalazine and meloxicam can improve the physical function and the disease activity and tts effect is superior to sulfasalazine and meloxicam in patients with AS.
