Methotrexate treats ankylosing spondylosis, experts analyze the effect

The most common treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is drug therapy, and methotrexate has many advantages in treating ankylosing spondylitis, but we must also pay attention to some adverse reactions during treatment. Only scientific treatment can achieve recovery as soon as possible.

1. Drug treatment

1. Methotrexate: When patients with active AS are ineffective after treatment with sulfasalazine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, methotrexate can be used. However, comparative observations revealed that this product only improved symptoms such as peripheral arthritis, back pain, stiffness, iritis, and ESR and CRP levels, but there was no evidence of improvement in radiological lesions of the axial joints. Although low-dose methotrexate has the advantage of fewer adverse reactions, its adverse reactions are still a problem that must be paid attention to during treatment.

2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: This type of drug can quickly improve patients' waist, hip and back pain and stiffness, reduce joint swelling and pain, and increase the range of motion. It is the first choice for symptomatic treatment of patients with AS, whether in the early or late stages. Commonly used drugs include: indomethacin suppositories, acemetacin, diclofenac sodium, celecoxib, loxoprofen sodium, meloxicam, etc.

3. Sulfasalazine: This drug can improve the joint pain, swelling and stiffness of AS, and can reduce serum IgA levels and other laboratory activity indicators. It is particularly suitable for improving peripheral arthritis in AS patients, and has the effect of preventing recurrence and alleviating lesions for the anterior uveitis complicated by this disease. The adverse reactions of this product include digestive system symptoms, rash, hematocrit, headache, dizziness, and male sperm reduction and abnormal morphology (reversible upon discontinuation of the drug). It is contraindicated in patients allergic to sulfonamides.

2. General treatment

1. Make it clear that ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease with a genetic tendency: educate patients to understand the occurrence and development of the disease; cooperate with doctors in treatment and examinations, and build confidence in fighting the disease; at the same time, it is necessary to obtain the support of patients' families, relatives, friends and society, and urge patients to take medication and exercise regularly to control the disease; patients should take medication on time as prescribed by the doctor, and go to the hospital for regular checkups and tests to understand the progress of the disease and adjust treatment in time.

2. Exercise and rest: Acute attacks of ankylosing spondylitis, accompanied by aseptic bone necrosis of the hip joint, and severe involvement of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs require proper rest. In most cases, functional exercises of the lumbar joints need to be strengthened. Patients must insist on waist exercise aerobics, including bending, side bending, and leaning back, lifting legs, hips, waist, chest, and neck training while lying flat on the back, and hyperextension training while lying prone, and often take deep breaths and strengthen neck exercises to prevent destructive fixed deformities of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae.

This is an introduction to the treatment methods for ankylosing spondylitis. I hope that people will understand these treatment methods and be able to actively and correctly receive treatment when ankylosing spondylitis occurs in the future, avoiding falling into treatment misunderstandings. I hope that every patient can recover as soon as possible.