Sulfasalazine therapy in psoriatic arthritis: clinical and immunologic response.
Sulfasalazine therapy has been shown effective in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. We treated 10 patients with active polyarticular psoriatic arthritis with 2 g/day of sulfasalazine for 16 weeks. Significant improvement was seen in joint count score, morning stiffness, and patient/physician assessment of disease activity. Toxicity requiring drug cessation was seen in only 1 patient. Patients with psoriatic arthritis had elevated B cells and immunoglobulin levels which fell with sulfasalazine therapy. Minimal changes were seen in T cell subsets. Sulfasalazine appears to be an effective second line agent for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Its mechanism of action may in part relate to alteration of B cell number and function.
Department of Rheumatology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822.
E D
ED
Newman
J L
JL
Perruquet
T M
TM
Harrington
D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D012460:Sulfasalazine