OBJECTIVEA 6-month observation on curative effect of Panlongqi Tablet (PLQ) in treating patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was conducted for evaluating its efficacy and safety.

METHODSOne hundred and four inpatients and outpatients with AS were randomly assigned to two groups by using random number table, 52 in each group. All patients were treated non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and sulfasalazine (SSZ), and those in the treated group were given with PLQ additionally. The change of symptoms and signs were observed, and some laboratory indexes as Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as adverse reaction were observed as well. The revisit and follow-up study were carried out at the 3 months and 6 months respectively.

RESULTSThe lumbosacral pain was significantly alleviated, the time for lumbodorsal morning stiffness was shortened, the levels of BASDAI, BASFI, ESR and CRP were significantly lowered after treatment for 3 months or 6months (P < 0.05), and these improvements were more significant in the treated group as compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The main adverse reactions was dominantly the gastrointestinal symptoms, which showed insignificant difference between the two groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONPLQ is an effective traditional medicine for AS with mild adverse reaction, it can be used as an adjuvant therapy.