Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis with medicated moxibustion plus salicylazosulfapyridine and methotrexate--a report of 30 cases.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of medicated moxibustion plus administration of salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) and methotrexate (MTX) for treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHOD:

Ninety cases of active AS were randomly assigned to Group A, B and C (N = 30 in each group), and treated respectively with SASP and MTX, acupuncture plus SASP and MTX, and composite sulfur (tablet) moxibustion plus SASP and MTX for 3 successive courses (2 months each course with an interval of 5 days).

RESULTS:

Improvement in sacroiliitis index, Schober test, occipital wall test, finger-ground distance, as well as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the content of C-reactive protein (CRP) in Group B and C was far superior to that of Group A (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Combined use of western medicine with acupuncture or with medicated moxibustion produces a better therapeutic effect than western medicine given alone.

• Authors: Jie Jia, Qiyin Wang, Tiehan Zhang, Jun Li
• Journal: Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (J Tradit Chin Med) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 26-8 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0255-2922 [Print] China
• PMID: 16705849 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Sulfasalazine
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Methotrexate (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Moxibustion (methods)
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing (therapy)
• Sulfasalazine (therapeutic use)