A meta-analysis and systematic review were performed to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of iguratimod and methotrexate versus methotrexate alone to treat patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
The combination of iguratimod and methotrexate
is a safe, effective, and economical therapy choice for subjects who do not
adequately respond to methotrexate alone or for subjects who cannot afford
costly biologics with no confirmed efficacy.
A meta-analysis and systematic
review were performed to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of
iguratimod and methotrexate versus methotrexate alone to treat patients
suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
The databases such as PubMed, the Chinese Biomedical
Literature Database, Embase, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge
Infrastructure, and WanFang Data were searched for the original randomized
controlled trials linked to the combination of iguratimod and methotrexate in
rheumatoid arthritis.
Furthermore, the clinical trial registry websites were searched. Utilizing
seven-point Jadad scale and Cochrane Collaboration tool, the methodological
quality of the incorporated trials was determined. Utilizing the Review Manager
(RevMan) 5.3, statistical analyses were carried out. Utilizing the Stata
version14 software, the meta-regression and publication bias analyses were carried
out.
Overall, seven RCTs consisting of 665 individuals (active arm, n=368 subjects, placebo arm, n=297 subjects) were incorporated into this study. Compared to the methotrexate alone cohort, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) value was better in the iguratimod + methotrexate cohort. The pooled relative risk for ACR20 (ACR 20% improvement criteria), ACR50, and ACR70 is shown in the following table:
Thus, compared to methotrexate
alone, the
combination of iguratimod and methotrexate
has a positive
impact on efficacy and safety in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Journal of Rheumatology
Efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with methotrexate vs. methotrexate alone in rheumatoid arthritis
LJ Chen et al.
Comments (0)