Herb May Be As Effective As Medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis, But Risks Remain

 Rheumatoid arthritis is one of many common chronic pain conditions that poses a number of challenges for health professionals and patients in terms of treatment. The disease occurs when inflammation attacks joints in the body, causing damage to bones and cartilage. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, meaning a treatment method that confronts it at the root is also unknown. What is more, the disease is progressive and tends to cause a significant amount of damage quickly. If left untreated, or not treated sufficiently, it can lead to debilitating deformities, which usually occur in the feet and/or hands.

Modern medicine is not without any means for addressing this condition. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are typically used early on to slow its progression. They work by suppressing the immune system, thereby suppressing the body's inflammatory process, which forms a part of the immune system.

Early treatment with DMARDs is generally considered ideal. However, use of these drugs is not unproblematic: 1) Not all patients respond to them; and 2) like most medications, they come with risks.

The risks associated with DMARDs vary by specific medication. One of the most commonly prescribed DMARD medications, which is believed to have the fewest side effects, is methotrexate. Its list of side effects and risks includes: rash; upset stomach; liver and bone marrow toxicity; birth defects. Because of this, many patients and health practitioners are eager for safer and more effective methods for delaying or halting the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. A new study suggests that an herbal medicine may be as effective or more effective, but it's important to look at the health risks associated with the herb as well.

Herb vs. DMARD

Researchers investigated the effectiveness of a Chinese herb known as "Thunder God Vine," which is currently used in China as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment, against the effectiveness of methotrexate. They also tested the effectiveness of the two methods combined.

Effectiveness was defined in this study as attaining ACR 50, which is a measure defined by the American College of Rheumatology as a 50% improvement in the number of tender/swollen joints and 50% improvement in three of the five following measures: 1) pain scale; 2) patient assessment; 3) physician assessment; 4) disability questionnaire; and 5) an inflammatory marker (acute phase reactant).