A randomized, double-blind, 24-week controlled study of low-dose cyclosporine versus chloroquine for early rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether low-dose cyclosporin A (CSA) is safe and effective in comparison with chloroquine (CQ) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
We performed a randomized, double-blind study comparing CSA with CQ in patients with early RA (duration < 2 years) who had had active disease for at least 3 months. Forty-four RA patients with a mean disease duration of 6 months were randomly allocated to receive CSA (initial dosage 2.5 mg/kg/day, maintenance dosage 3.6 mg/kg/day) or CQ (initial dosage 300 mg/day, maintenance dosage 100 mg/day) for 24 weeks.


RESULTS
Five patients (2 taking CSA and 3 taking CQ) discontinued the study prematurely. Intention-to-treat analysis disclosed a decrease in the swollen joint count by 7 in both groups. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level did not change significantly. CSA and CQ were tolerated equally well, although mild paraesthesia occurred more frequently in the CSA-treated group. The serum creatinine level increased by 13 mumoles/liter (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4, 22) in the CSA group and by 6 mumoles/liter (95% CI 1, 11) in the CQ group (difference not statistically significant).


CONCLUSIONS
Both CSA and CQ are effective in alleviating the symptoms of active early RA. There is only slightly impaired renal function after 24 weeks of drug administration of either drug in patients with early RA.
Landewé
R B
RB
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
Goei Thè
H S
HS
van Rijthoven
A W
AW
Breedveld
F C
FC
Dijkmans
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016572:Cyclosporine; D002738:Chloroquine; D003404:Creatinine