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

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 ± 1.57 vs.5.47 ± 1.72 mg/L, P < 0.001; IL-6: 1.62 ± 0.8 vs. 2.19 ± 0.88 pg/mL, P < 0.001; VAS scale: 1.59 ± 0.69 vs. 2.66 ± 1.02, P < 0.001; and HAQ score: 1.19 ± 0.46 vs. 1.41 ± 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.