防己黄芪汤加减联合复方倍他米松注射液对膝骨关节炎患者关节功能、生活质量及血清基质金属蛋白酶13、一氧化氮水平的影响OA

Objective To evaluate the effects of modified Fangji Huangqi Decoction combined with compound betamethasone injection on joint function,quality of life,and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP 13)and nitric oxide(NO)in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 112 KOA patients treated at our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups(n=56 each):A control group(compound betamethasone injection)and a combined therapy group(compound betamethasone injection plus modified Fangji Huangqi decoction),the treatments lasted 12 weeks.Efficacy was evaluated.Changes in Lysholm scores,Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)scores,Short Form-36(SF-36)quality of life scores,and serum MMP-13 and NO levels were compared between the two groups at baseline and at 4,8,and 12 weeks after treatment.The incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment period was monitored and recorded for both groups.Results The overall effective rate was significantly higher in the combined therapy group than in the control group(89.29%[50/56]vs 73.21%[41/56],P＜0.05).Lysholm,JOA,and SF 36 scores improved over time in both groups,with significantly greater improvements in the combined therapy group at 4,8,and 12 weeks after treatment(all P＜0.05).Serum MMP 13 and NO concentrations decreased over time in both groups,and reductions were significantly larger in the combined therapy group(both P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly between groups(10.71%vs.14.29%;P＞0.05).Conclusion Combining modified Fangji Huangqi Decoction with compound betamethasone injection significantly improves joint function and quality of life,and reduces serum MMP 13 and NO levels in KOA patients,suggesting enhanced anti inflammatory and disease modifying effects compared with betamethasone alone.