Anti-inflammatory efficacy of low-dose cyclosporin A in psoriatic arthritis. A prospective multicentre study.
Fifty-five patients with psoriatic arthritis were treated with a low dose of cyclosporin A (CyA) (mean dose 2.7 mg/kg per day) for a period of 6 months to investigate the efficacy of CyA on disease parameters. Significant improvement in the joint complaints and inflammation parameters was observed including a decrease in the number of painful (-46%) and swollen (-45%) joints, tenderness (Ritchie Index: -50%) and degree of swelling (-46%), patient's assessment of pain (-35%), the duration of morning joint stiffness (-37%), as well as a decrease in C-reactive protein (-52%). A 50% reduction of joint complaints required a total of 24 weeks, whereas a 50% reduction of skin involvement was achieved after 5-6 weeks of treatment. Four patients left the study due to adverse events: creatinine level increase in two patients, hypertension in one patient and gastroenteritis in the fourth patient. Joint scintigraphy in 18 patients indicated an improvement or stable condition in 61% of cases after a mean follow-up of approximately 8 months. The results of this prospective study show that low-dose CyA effectively improves not only skin lesions, but also joint complaints in psoriatic arthritis.
Mahrle
G
G
Department of Dermatology, University of Köln, Germany.
Schulze
H J
HJ
Bräutigam
M
M
Mischer
P
P
Schopf
R
R
Jung
E G
EG
Weidinger
G
G
Färber
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D003404:Creatinine