Variations among rheumatologists in prescribing and monitoring of disease modifying antirheumatoid drugs.
One hundred consultant rheumatologists were sent a questionnaire on their prescribing pattern, and dose and monitoring schedules of four disease modifying antirheumatoid drugs (DMARDs). Seventy-five completed questionnaires were received. Sulphasalazine was the most popular first choice DMARD. There was general agreement on dose schedules which were similar to those recommended in the data sheets although for each drug a minority used different dose schedules. There was, however, marked variation among respondents in what was accepted as an adequate trial of therapy, in monitoring schedules and in the interpretation of results of toxicity monitoring. In many cases these practices differed significantly from the data sheet recommendations. These differences in stated practice could have financial and medicolegal as well as clinical implications.
Department of Pharmacy, General Infirmary, Leeds.
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Kay
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Pullar
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012219:Rheumatology; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
D000962:Antimalarials; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D010396:Penicillamine