title: [Therapy of rheumatoid arthritis with azathioprine--results of an open long-term study of at least 4 years with 528 patients].
abstract: In an open study 528 patients affected with rheumatoid-arthritis were treated with azathioprine, then observed for a period of at least 4 years and assessed according to Steinbrocker's therapeutic criteria. In 178 of them (33.7%) the therapy was still effective even after that time, which corresponds to grade I and II according to Steinbrocker. The therapy was cancelled in 211 patients due to ineffectiveness and in 85 patients due to side-effects. The side-effects are represented in detail. Owing to the favorable relationship between benefit and risk, azathioprine proves to be a means of first choice in all cases with a high process activity and an unfavorable prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatologische Abteilung, Klinik für Innere Medizin des Klinikums Rostock-Südstadt.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keysser
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D001379:Azathioprine
vernacular_title: Therapie der Rheumatoid-Arthritis (RA) mit Azathioprin--Ergebnisse einer offenen Langzeitstudie über mindestens 4 Jahre bei 528 Patienten.