Efficacy Of Hydroxychloroquine Combined With Leflunomide For Rheumatoid Arthritis And Its Effect On Inflammatory Factor And Blood Lipid Levels

This study observed the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine combined with leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its effect on inflammatory factor and blood lipid levels. One hundred and ten RA patients were divided into hydroxychloroquine (38 cases), leflunomide (32 cases) and hydroxychloroquine+leflunomide (40 cases) groups, which received hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine combined with leflunomide treatment for six months, respectively. After treatment, compared with hydroxychloroquine and leflunomide groups, in hydroxychloroquine+leflunomide group the morning stiffness duration was shortened, the number of tender joint and number of swollen joint were reduced, the Visual Analogue Scale score and Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints score were decreased, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum rheumatoid factor level were reduced, and the inflammatory factor and blood lipid levels were decreased (all p < 0.05). For RA patients, hydroxychloroquine combined with leflunomide can effectively improve the treatment efficacy and lower the inflammatory factor and blood lipid levels, which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.