OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of moxibustion on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the patients and the impacts on the inflammatory indices.

METHODSForty RA patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. In the control group, diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets were used, 0.3 g each time, twice a day; methotrexate tablets were used, 10 mg each time, once a week; folic acid was used, 5 mg each time, once a week. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, moxibustion was added specially on the swelling and painful joints, once a day, 15-20 min each time till: the local skin turned slightly red. The treatment was given once a day, at the interval of 1 day after every 6 treatments. In the two groups, the efficacy was observed after 30-day treatment. Before and after treatment, the rheumatoid factor (RF), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), disease activity score-28 (DAS-28) and the score of joint symptom and physical signs were observed.

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, the levels of RF, hs-CRP, ESR, DAS-28 and the symptom scale score were all reduced in the RA patients of the two groups after treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of RF, hs-CRP, ESR, DAS-28 and the symptom scale score in the observation group were improved much apparently (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 85.0% (17/20) in the observation group and was 80.0% (16/20) in the control group. The total effective rate in the observation group was apparently better than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion as supplement relieves the joint symptoms, reduces the inflammatory reactive indices and improves the clinical efficacy in the RA patients.