Oral chrysotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: minimum effective dose.
We studied the dose-response to a new oral gold compound in 28 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, divided in 4 groups of 7 patients, each treated with different doses of auranofin for 3 months. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded weekly, and blood gold levels (BGL) measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Six and 9 mg daily doses of auranofin were most effective based on clinical and laboratory results. Correlation studies between BGL and percent decrease of humoral measurements, within the 3 months were statistically were statistically significant. Mean BGL, associated with clinical improvement, reached 0.73 microgram/ml, and was accompanied by a 17.6% decrease from initial value of IgG, 17.1% of alpha 2-globulin, 48.9% of RF titer and 25.9% of ESR.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001310:Auranofin; D006051:Aurothioglucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010720:Phosphines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010720:Phosphines; D006051:Aurothioglucose; D001310:Auranofin; D006046:Gold; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor