Fu Wen-yi, Zhang Ning and Yang Lili
Objective: To observe the efficacy of combining recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-Fc [rhTNFR:Fc ,etanercept] and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: Collected 64 active RA patients with DMARD-resistant, according to patients’ gender, age, duration and extent of disease activity, divided the 64 patients randomly into comparable two groups. The experimental group within thirty-two patients, were treated with twice-weekly subcutaneous etanercept (25 mg) and meanwhile weekly oral MTX (15 mg);the control group within thirty-two patients, were treated with daily oral prednisone (5-10 mg) and meanwhile weekly oral MTX (15 mg).Course of treatment is 12 weeks. Clinical response was assessed using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria.
Result: As compared with patients received prednisone and MTX, patients received etanercept and MTX had a more significant improvement at ACR20 at 4th, 8th and 12th weeks (P<0.05), and a more significant improvement at ACR50 at 4th, 8th and 12th weeks (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Compared to the traditional combination of MTX and low dose prednisone, etanercept combining MTX has a more significant efficacy in patients with DMARD-resistant rheumatoid arthritis.