title: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
abstract: The case for early intervention with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs is strengthened by published reports during the past year. These drugs include methotrexate, gold sulfasalazine, and antimalarial agents. The American College of Rheumatology issued guidelines for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and for monitoring the toxicity of antirheumatic drugs. Studies on the mechanisms of action of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs focused on their effects on cytokines and their receptors. The toxic effects of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs remained an important issue, especially the adverse pulmonary effects of methotrexate. An important trial demonstrated a beneficial effect of triple disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy (methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine) over individual agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of New South Wales, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Conaghan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D006046:Gold; D010396:Penicillamine; D008727:Methotrexate