title: Low dose cyclosporine in early rheumatoid arthritis: effective and safe after two years of therapy when compared with chloroquine.
abstract: Forty-four patients with early RA who had participated in a six months double-blind trial, comparing cyclosporine A (CsA) (n = 22) with chloroquine (Chl) (n = 22), were followed for a further 18 months irrespective of their treatment status. At two years follow up, the mean CsA dose was 2.7 +/- 1.1 mg/kg/day (n = 15) and the dose of Chl (n = 11) was 100 mg/day in every patient. Maximal difference in efficacy (represented by the percentage of patients who fulfilled the Paulus 50% response) was reached at one year (CsA group: 68% and Chl group: 36%; p = 0.07). At two years, the differences in efficacy and toxicity between the two groups had diminished. The conclusions of this follow-up study are: 1. maximal efficacy of low dose CsA in early RA patients is reached after one year of therapy. 2. CsA can maintain clinical efficacy and safety comparable to Chl for a period of at least two years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Hospital, Wever Hospital Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: van den Borne
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Landewé
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: The
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Breedveld
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dijkmans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002738:Chloroquine