[Sulfasalazine in rheumatology].
Sulphasalazine (SLZ) has proved to be a drug effective in inducing clinical improvement or remission in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (other than inflammatory bowel diseases) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and some seronegative spondyloarthropathies, in a fashion similar to that of long-acting, second-line drugs in RA. Several clinical studies agree upon the efficacy of the compound employed at a dose of 2-3 g/day and upon the incidence of side effects, which appear to be equivalent to or lower than those related to traditional disease-modifying drugs employed in RA. The following points should be clarified and developed with regard to the use of SLZ in chronic rheumatic diseases: main mechanism(s) of action, improvement of therapeutic strategy (i.e.: combined treatments, maintenance therapy), prevention and control of main side effects, and its preferential use or limits in the management of a larger number of inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Nurchis
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Istituto di Medicina Interna, Università degli Studi di Cagliari.
Garau
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P
Pala
M R
MR
Uras
L
L
Saviano
M
M
Mathieu
A
A
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012460:Sulfasalazine