Objective:To study the clinical effect of etanercept combined with methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) . Methods:Totally 62 patients with RA from May 2014 to May 2015 in our hospital were divided into the observation group and the control group with 31 cases in each according to the random number table. The control group was treated with methotrexate (10mg, po, once a week), the observation group was treated with etanercept (25 mg, twice a week) additionally, and the treatment course was 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment, serum TL1A, TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-17, time of morning stiffness, joint swelling, tenderness and pain change scores in the two groups were studied and compared. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were analyzed as well. Results:After the theatment, compared with before theatment, two groups’ TL1A, TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-17 had de-creased, and observation group was lower than control group(P<0. 05). Two groups’ time of morning stiffness have shortened, and the joint swelling, tenderness and painscores were significantly decreased, and each index in the observation groups were better than control group(P<0. 05). The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than the control group(P<0. 05). There was no significant difference about adverse reaction in the two groups(P>0. 05). Conclusion:Etanercept combined with methotrexate in the treatment of RA can reduce serum levels of TL1A, TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-17, and significantly alleviate joint swelling, tenderness and pain symptoms with high safety.