Comparison of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F versus sulfasalazine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extracts of the medicinal plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) have been used in China for centuries to treat a spectrum of inflammatory diseases.

Objective

To compare the benefits and side effects of TwHF extract with those of sulfasalazine for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis.

Design

Randomized, controlled trial. A computer-generated code with random, permuted blocks was used to assign treatment.

Setting

2 U.S. academic centers (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and University of Texas, Dallas, Texas) and 9 rheumatology subspecialty clinics (in Dallas and Austin, Texas; Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Arlington, Virginia; Duncanville, Pennsylvania; Wheaton and Greenbelt, Maryland; and Lansing, Michigan).

Pa

SUBMITTER: Goldbach-Mansky R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2938780 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature