OBJECTIVE: To probe into the efficacy of Ciclosporin soft capsule combined with Meloxicam tablets in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in elderly patients and its effect on serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1） and angiopoietin-like protein-2 （ANGPTL2） levels. METHODS: Totally 156 elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis admitted into the First People’s Hospital of Guangyuan from May 2016 to Jan. 2019 were selected and divided into control group and research group via random number table

with 78 cases in each group. The control group was treated with Meloxicam tablet

while the research group was given Ciclosporin soft capsule combined with Meloxicam tablets. The clinical efficacy and incidences of adverse drug reactions of both groups were observed

the differences in symptom improvements

serum inflammatory factors [interleukin-10 （IL-10）

interleukin-17 （IL-17） and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） ]

sICAM-1 and ANGPTL2 levels between two groups before treatment and 6 months after treatment were compared. RESULTS: The arthralgia score of research group at 6 months after treatment was significantly lower than that of the control group

and the duration of morning stiffness was significantly shorter than that of the control group

with statistically significant differences （P < 0. 05）. The total effective rate of research group was 94. 87% （74/78）

which was significantly higher than that of the control group （83. 33%

65/78）

with statistically significant difference （P<0. 05）. The IL-10

IL-17 and TNF-α levels of the research group at 6 months after treatment were significantly lower than those of the control group

the serum sICAM-1 and ANGPTL2 levels of research group were significantly lower than those of the control group

with statistically significant differences （P<0. 05）. The incidences of adverse drug reactions of research group and control group were respectively 8. 97% （7/78） and 6. 41% （5/78）

the difference had no statistical significance （P > 0. 05）. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Ciclosporin soft capsule and Meloxicam tablets can significantly relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in elderly patients

reduce serum inflammatory factors

sICAM-1 and ANGPTL2 levels

further improve efficacy

with good safety.