[Comparison of azathioprine and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: an open-randomized clinical study].
Thirty-eight patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were entered in an open randomized 24-week study comparing azathioprine (AZA; initial daily dose 1 mg/kg) with methotrexate (MTX; initial weekly dose 7.5 mg). The patients had previously been treated with antimalarials, gold salts and/or D-penicillamine. The groups were well balanced in baseline characteristics. There were three premature withdrawals in each group, all of which were due to toxicity. The present study did not show any significant differences between AZA and MTX in ability to reduce activity in RA after 24 weeks of treatment.
Service de Rhumatologie, Hôpital Universitaire, Leiden, Pays Bas.
M L
ML
Westedt
B A
BA
Dijkmans
J
J
Hermans
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate
Comparaison de l'azathioprine et du méthotrexate dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde: une étude clinique ouverte randomisée.