Effect of intravenous infusion of lidocaine on efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of lidocaine on the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Forty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis of either sex, aged 32-85 yr, weighing 40-76 kg, who were admitted to the Department of Pain and Nephrology in our hospital from September 2019 to September 2020, were divided into 2 groups ( n=22 each) according to the random number table method: control group (C group) and lidocaine group (L group). Both groups received conventional treatment.When visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥5, glucocorticoid (GC) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were taken orally to maintain the VAS score ≤4.In group L, 0.2% lidocaine hydrochloride injection 3 mg/kg (diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection 500 ml) was intravenously infused at a rate of 25 ml/h for 2 h, once a day, for 5 consecutive days, based on the conventional treatment.The VAS score, 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28 score), simplified disease activity index score (SDAI score), consumption of GC and NSAIDs and adverse reactions were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment (T 2-4). The temperature of the pain area of the affected joint was evaluated through infrared thermal imaging at T 1 and T 2. Results:Compared with the baseline at T 1, VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score were significantly decreased at each time point, and the temperature of the pain area of the affected joint at T 2 was decreased in the two groups ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS score, DAS28 score and SDAI score at each time point between two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with group C, the consumption of GC and NSAIDs was significantly decreased, and the temperature of the pain area of the dorsum of both hands and the dorsum of right foot at T 2 and incidence of adverse reactions were decreased in group L ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intravenous infusion of lidocaine can optimize the efficacy of conventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.