Objective: To explore the treatment of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis(EORA)

observe the efficacy and side effects of tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside combined with methotrexate in treating EORA and provide a reference for clinical safe medication. Method: Eighty patients diagnosed with EORA were randomly divided into tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside combined with methotrexate group (research group) and methotrexate group (control group)

40 in each group. The control group were treated with methotrexate only

every time 10 mg

once a week for 6 months

while the research group added with tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside

every time 10 mg

3 times a day for 6 months. Clinical assessment using the American college of rheumatology (ACR) criteria for improvement was performed. A fellow-up observation compared the improvements of clinical symptoms

changes on inflammation markers and the incidences of side effects before treatment with those after treatment. Result: Two groups achieved ACR 20% after treatment which were not significantly different in statistics between two groups; while achieved ACR 50%

there was a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05); the clinical symptoms

signs and laboratory index of two groups before and after treating were statistically significant difference (P<0.01). After 6 months treatment

the number of swelled joint

ESR

CRP

RF and the satisfaction of patients and doctor were obviously improved in the research group

and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01); while the incidence of side effects were not significantly different in statistics with the control group. Conclusion: Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside combined with methotrexate is effective and safe in treating EORA cases

which made it become one of the best treatments of EORA.