Adding low-dose cyclosporin A to parenteral gold therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
A double-blind, randomized comparison between parenteral gold therapy (PGT) and cyclosporin A (CyA) vs PGT and placebo during 6 months was performed in 40 RA patients experiencing a decreasing effect of ongoing PGT. Patients' overall assessment of health was the only efficacy variable significantly better in the CyA- and PGT-treated vs the placebo- and PGT-treated group. Higher blood pressure and more signs of renal impairment were found during the 6 months treatment in the former compared with the latter group. Six months after the end of the combination therapy, a higher potassium value in the CyA-treated group was the only difference. In conclusion, no effects additional to those expected with single-drug therapy or additional risks of side-effects of either drug were found when combining low-dose CyA with ongoing PGT in RA patients with long disease duration.
Bendix
G
G
Department of Rheumatology, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
Bjelle
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos
D010919:Placebos; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D006046:Gold; D016572:Cyclosporine