title: [Effectiveness of D-penicillamine therapy in chronic polyarthritis].
abstract: In 52 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis the therapeutic efficacy of 600 mg/die of D-penicillamine was evaluated for two years in a prospective trial. Patients were included in the study only if the duration of their disease exceeded 6 months (upper limit 12 months), and there was involvement of 6 or more joints and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 hour values greater than or equal to 25 mm). In 26 patients (50%) a decline in the activity index could be observed, but 18 of these subjects had a deterioration of findings as assessed by X-ray. The increase of the activity index indicated no therapeutic benefit in 26 patients (50%), which could be confirmed in 23 subjects by X-rays.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001175:Arthrography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010396:Penicillamine
vernacular_title: Untersuchungen über die Wirksamkeit der D-Penicillamintherapie bei chronischer Polyarthritis.