Effects Of Methotrexate Combined With Leflunomide On Efficacy, Joint Function And Inflammatory Factors In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To investigate the effect of methotrexate (MTX) combined with leflunomide (LEF) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: A total of 100 patients with RA who were admitted to our hospital from December 2016 to December 2019 were selected, among which 55 patients received MTX combined with LEF (research group, RG), and 45 patients were treated with MTX alone (control group, CG). The efficacy, incidence of adverse reactions, joint function (joint swelling index, joint tenderness index, duration time of morning stiffness), disease activity score and pain score (DAS-28, VAS), inflammation indexes (ESR, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta), blood lipid indexes (TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C) and quality of life (HAQ score) were observed and compared in the two groups. Results: The total effective rate in RG was significantly higher than that in CG. The incidence of adverse reactions, joint function related indicators, DAS-28, VAS, various inflammatory indicators, TC, LDL-C and HAQ scores were significantly lower than those in CG. TG and HDL-C had no significant difference with the CG. Conclusion: Compared with MTX alone, MTX combined with LEF has higher efficacy, higher recovery degree of joint function and lower levels of inflammatory factors in the treatment of patients with RA.