title: Interim results of a multicenter open study with auranofin in Japan.
abstract: We report the results of 47 of 116 rheumatoid patients, who took auranofin (AF) for more than 6 months. After 8-12 weeks of treatment with AF 3 mg bid, a remarkable improvement was observed especially in numbers of tender and swollen joints and duration of morning stiffness. The mean activity index before AF was 70.1% and the index decreased linearly for 6 months to 53.5%. AF was particularly effective in patients with high rheumatoid activity, as well as in those of short duration of disease and Stages I and II. Radiographic examination showed a possible prevention by AF of progression of bone destruction in the joints. A total of 86 side effects were reported in 50 cases: 36 gastrointestinal; 34 mucocutaneous and 16 others. Most side effects cleared during the treatment and no serious side effects were reported. Drug administration was discontinued in only 11 cases (9.5%). Blood gold level reached a plateau after 9 weeks (mean level was 0.67 micrograms/ml). Urinary excretion rate was parallel with the blood gold level.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D001310:Auranofin; D006051:Aurothioglucose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D006051:Aurothioglucose; D001310:Auranofin; D006046:Gold