ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of modified Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang (GSZT) with the Western medicines in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: All the relevant studies were collected by searching the Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Journals database, and Wanfang database from their inception to October 2017. After the assessment, the eligible ones were subject to Jadad score. The meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Totally 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 962 patients were enrolled. The clinical efficacy of analysis showed that modified GSZT with the Western medicines can significantly improve the clinical total effective rate [OR = 4.64, 95%CI (3.03, 7.12), P < 0.00001], the duration of morning stiff [MD = −14.58, 95%CI (−16.49, −12.68), P < 0.00001], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [MD = −12.62 95%CI (−18.69, −6.54), P < 0.001], rheumatoid factor (RF) [MD = −49.88, 95%CI (−77.6, −22.09), P < 0.001], C-reactive protein (CRP) [MD = −5.34, 95%CI (−5.86, −4.82), P < 0.001]. The adverse events had been seen in both of the two groups, however, the clinical symptoms of the group on modified GSZT with the Western medicines were obviously reduced than the other one [OR = 0.25, 95%CI (0.10, 0.61), Z = 3.06, P < 0.01]. This system review shows that the modified GSZT with the Western medicines improved the clinical efficacy, symptoms and the blood biochemical indicators were improved significantly than that of Western medicines alone on rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, it can reduce adverse effects and enhance safety.