To observe the effect and mechanism of Chinese medicine therapy for activating blood and dredging collaterals (ABDC) on treating systemic lupus erythematosus complicated with avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SLE-ANFH). Thirty-four patients (51 joints) with SLE-ANFH were assigned by a random number table to two groups: 22 patients (32 joints) in the treatment group and 12 patients (19 joints) in the control group. All received Western medical conventional treatment for anti-inflammation and immunosuppression

but an additional Chinese medicine decoction prescribed based on ABDC principle was administered to patients in the treatment group. The observation on the patients’ condition and therapeutic effect lasted for 3 years. The patients’ conditions in the two groups

as assessed by Association for Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) staging

were similar before treatment. After treatment

comparison between groups showed significant difference (P<0.05)

and the raised Harris functional scores in the treatment group were higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The post-treatment symptom improving rate in the treated group was 72.73%

which was higher than that in the control group (50.00%

P<0.05). Moreover

the former was superior in improving hematologic and hemorrheologic parameters in terms of prolonging activated partial thromboplastin time

lowering whole blood middle/low shear viscosity

and plasma viscosity (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Two patients in the control group but none in the treatment group received hip joint replacement operation during the observation period. Chinese medicine ABDC therapy could effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and improve joint function of patients with SLE-ANFH. The mechanism may be related to its effects on improving high coagulation manner and trend for getting embolism.