Rebamipide in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rebamipide as an Adjunct to Methotrexate in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although the aetiology of RA remains to be fully elucidated, interleukin (IL)-17 are believed to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of RA. Rebamipide is an antiulcer drug that protects gastric epithelial cells,improves gastric defense mechanisms by increasing gastric mucus. Rebamipide inhibited interleukin (IL)-17, also it inhibits IL-1β-induced RASF proliferation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (disease activity score-28 joints: DAS-28 > 3.2) based on the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria16 were recruited.

rheumatoid Patients who received the standard therapy (i.e. one or more conventional DMARDs) for at least three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of biological DMARDS.
2. History of gastrointestinal surgery, GI ulceration,GI bleeding
3. Intolerance or allergy to rebamibide or methotrexate
4. Smoking or alcohol abuse
5. Any changes in using medication (changing the dosage or type of medicines)
6. Receive hormone replacement therapy, warfarin, and other anticoagulants