Objective: To observe the long-term effect of Qingbi Recipe (recipe for removing the blocking) in the treatment rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: The 92 patients were divided into the treated group and the control group. 60 patients in the treatment group were treated by Qingbi recipe one dose per day, when the active stage was over, the recipe would be changed form into pill, and administrated 2 pills, twice a day.

The 32 patients in the control group were treated with Methotrexate l5mg intramuscular injection, once a week. Both groups were followed-up for 3 years.
　　
Result: In the treatment group, clinical remission was occurred in l6 cases (26.67%), markedly effective in 27 (45%), effective in l3 (2l.75%) and ineffective in 4 (6.67%). In the control group, the numbers (percent) were 6 (l8.75%), l6 (50%), 8 (25%) and 2 (6.25%) in order. By statistic analysis, the difference between the two groups in remission rate and markedly effective rate was insignificant (P>0.05). Results of 3-year follow-up study showed that the ruin of joints was ceased in 88.33% of the treatment group and 87.5% of the control group also displayed insignificant difference between them (p>0.05). No side effect was found in the treatment group, But in the control group, side effect occurred in 36% of the patients.　　

Conclusion: Qingbi recipe could control the active stage of rheumatoid arthritis, and control the development of disease in a certain degree, block the ruining of sclerotin, the effect being equal to that of Methotrexate, but without any side-effect.

(By Liu Wei, Wang Hui, Zuo Fang etc, From First Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin TCM College, Tianjin 300l93, China)