Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Empirical Practice to Evidence-Based Therapy

Hu-DanPana， YaoXiao， Wan-YingWang， Ru-TongRen，Elaine Lai-Han，Leung， LiangLiua · Engineering · 2019 October

DOI 10.1016/j.eng.2019.01.018

Objective

In this review, we focus on advancements in TCM research and possible breakthroughs in the near future to promote the globalization of TCM as a treatment for RA.

Conclusions

This comprehensive review analaysed the importance of acupuncture and herbal medicine treatment for RA. Patients were found to have high efficacy with long term therapies of both treatments in pain reduction and better quality of life.

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Insights

In 2017, dozens of Chinese proprietary medicines were employed as rheumatoid arthritis treatments and resulted in good outcomes, according to the National Health Insurance Directory of China.

Based on the expert consensus in treating RA in China, YiShenJuanBi Pill and WangBi Electuary were recommended as treatments for patients with RA in the inactive stage, and have been listed in the guidelines since 2013. According to several clinical studies, YiShenJuanBi Pill markedly improves clinical symptoms and relieves bone erosion in patients with RA, and is particularly effective in patients with early-stage or age-related RA. WangBi Electuary alleviates the symptoms of patients with RA in a relatively short time when combined with MTX, and the efficacy of this combined therapy has been shown to be better than the combined therapy of MTX and LEF. TongBi Capsule and HanShiBi Pill are highly recommended for patients with RA presenting with cold-dampness syndrome. Moreover, TongBi Capsule has been used to treat age-related RA when combined with MTX, and shows better effectiveness and fewer side effects than the MTX monotherapy. HanShiBi Pill is more suitable for long-term treatment courses because it exerts fewer gastrointestinal effects while simultaneously producing good effects on arthritis. For patients diagnosed with heat-dampness syndrome, TCM doctors may select BiZhongXiao Decoction, ShiReBi Pill, or ReBiKang Capsule.