A randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial of topical Tripterygium wilfordii in rheumatoid arthritis: reanalysis using logistic regression analysis

Jolanda Cibere; Zhaozhi Deng; Yuanchang Lin; Runmei Ou; Yiting He; Zhiqiang Wang; Anona Thorne; Allen J Lehman; Ian K Tsang; John M Esdaile

A randomized double blind, placebo controlled trial of topical Tripterygium wilfordii in rheumatoid arthritis: reanalysis using logistic regression analysis

J Rheumatol. 2003 Mar;30(3):465-7.

Authors

Jolanda Cibere¹, Zhaozhi Deng, Yuanchang Lin, Runmei Ou, Yiting He, Zhiqiang Wang, Anona Thorne, Allen J Lehman, Ian K Tsang, John M Esdaile

Affiliation

¹ Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and the Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

PMID: 12610802

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of topical Tripterygium wilfordii (TW), a Chinese herbal therapy, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A 6 week randomized double blind placebo controlled study of 61 patients with RA meeting American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria was conducted in China. The primary outcome was a modified ACR-20 response rate, analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results: The modified ACR-20 response rate differed significantly (topical TW 58% vs placebo 20%; p = 0.002). There was an 8.1-fold (95% CI 1.9-35.4) increase in the modified ACR-20 response for the TW compared to the placebo group, adjusted for age and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Conclusion: Topical TW appears efficacious for the treatment of RA, but larger studies are needed.

Publication types

Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
Double-Blind Method
Humans
Logistic Models
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Phytotherapy
Placebos
Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
Treatment Outcome
Tripterygium*

Substances

Placebos
Plant Preparations