OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy and economic value of Qin Xi-tong(QXT) during the long-term treatment for patients of RA. METHODS: Caulis Sinomenii(CS) has been recognized as an effective medicinal plant for arthritis. The Fifth Hospital of Xi’an developed water extract from CS to a novel kind of drug naming QXT. RA was diagnosed in 200 patients referred to Department of Rheumatology. All the patients were classified according to their different areas. They were respectively evaluated by the score of VAS, DAS28 and  the response rates of ACR20/70 .We also follow up the patients for the usage rate, treatment compliance and satisfaction of QXT. We count the cost of patients and the income of self-made chinese traditional medicine in our hospital to measure the economic value of QXT. RESULTS: We found that: 1) There were 140 out of 200 patients who were from 14 provinces of China with RA using QXT.2. Percentage of the satisfaction and compliance with the treatment of QXT+MTX group were higher than MTX group, satisfaction rates (94.2% vs. 67.1%, X=11.7, P<0.01) ,compliance rates (91.4% vs. 62.9%, X=16.2, P<0.01) , respectively. 3)statistical result of year 2 showed :  Compared with pretherapy,QXT+ MTX group scored significantly lower of VAS, while achieving higher level of ACR20 and ACR70 . 4)QXT was safe and well tolerated in this trial, difference of adverse events was not statistically significant. 5)The statistics showed the mean cost for QXT only occupied 9.2%(78/856)of patient’s expenses for the treatment of RA.CONCLUSIONS: It is the first time to study the economic value of QXT in a randomized clinical trial for 2 years. QXT+MTX could contribute to the higher clinical remission rates of patients with RA. It is worth noting that Chinese patients with RA was much better satisfied and complying with QXT which is actually consistent with our clinical practice.