Effects of Bushen Tongluo prescription on inflammatory, immune function and bone metabolism indicators in RA patients with osteoporosis

Abstract

Background We aim to explore the effect of adjunctive therapy with Bushen Tongluo (BSTL) prescription on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with osteoporosis, thus providing theoretical basis for clinical treatment. Methods 96 RA patients with osteoporosis were selected as study subjects and divided into the control group (n=48) and observation group (n=48). Patients of the control group were treated with methotrexate and vitamin D calcium chewable tablets, while those of observation group were treated with BSTL prescription based on the control group. The clinical efficacy, improvement of joint clinical symptoms, the levels of inflammatory factors, immune function indicators and bone metabolism indicators were compared. Results The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group. After treatment, the joint function index, joint tenderness index and joint swelling index were lower, and the indexes in the observation group were decreased. The levels of interleukin-6, c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate were lower following the treatment, and the levels in the observation group were lower. The immunoglobulin A (IgG) and IgM levels in the observation group were lower than that in the control group. Blood calium, blood phosphorus and bone mineral density levels were higher in two group after treatment, and those in the observation group were obviously increased compared to the control group. Conclusion BSTL prescription adjunctive therapy for RA patients with osteoporosis has a good clinical efficacy, which can effectively improve the patients' clinical symptoms and related indicators, worthy of clinical promotion.