title: Life table analysis of 879 treatment episodes with slow acting antirheumatic drugs in community rheumatology practice.
abstract: In 596 patients with RA managed over a decade in a community practice setting, 879 slow acting antirheumatic drug (SAARD) treatment episodes were analyzed using 5-year life tables. The probability of continuation of therapy was 50% by 9-24 months for all drugs except for methotrexate (MTX), which was 62% by 5 years [corrected]. MTX treatments were of significantly longer duration than those of all other SAARD (p less than 0.001); terminations for both inefficacy (p less than 0.001) and toxicity (NS) were less likely. These findings concur with recent evidence suggesting that MTX is a superior SAARD in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: McCloud
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Littlejohn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008727:Methotrexate