The treatment efficacy of closure treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis of rheumatoid arthritis patients' clinical data

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic effect of experimental closure treatment for rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing the changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) scores and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after experimental knee closure treatment. Methods: The clinical data of 216 cases with rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the results of the ultrasonic scores of their joint lesions: the score 1 group (99 patients), the score 2 group (63 patients), and the score 3 group (54 patients). The VAS scores and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index scores were recorded. The closure index was calculated, and the patients' serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were measured and recorded before and after their treatment. Results: The higher the ultrasound score of the joint lesion, the higher the VAS scores and WOMAC osteoarthritis index scores (P<0.05). The VAS scores and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index scores at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after the closure treatment were lower than they were preoperatively in the three groups (P<0.05). The hs-CRP, RF, and TNF-alpha levels were lower at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after the closure therapy than they were preoperatively in the three groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The application of closure therapy enables physicians to effectively locate knee joint lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Closure therapy improves the VAS scores and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index scores and relieves pain.