title: Azathioprine in giant cell arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatica: a double-blind study.
abstract: The ability of azathioprine to reduce the maintenance prednisolone requirement of 31 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) or giant cell arteritis (GCA), or both, was tested in a double-blind placebo controlled study over one year. Clinical and laboratory assessments were made at four-weekly intervals over a period of 52 weeks. A statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05) in mean prednisolone dose was noted between the two groups at the end of 52 weeks, there being a fall in steroid requirement in the azathioprine treated group.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001379:Azathioprine