A double blind placebo controlled trial of azathioprine in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To establish whether there is a place for low dose azathioprine (AZA) as a disease modifying agent in patients with uncomplicated primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with primary SS were entered into a double blind, placebo controlled trial of AZA (1 mg/kg/day) for a period of 6 months.


RESULTS
Six patients, all receiving active drug, withdrew because of side effects. There was no significant change in disease activity variables when measured clinically, serologically, or histologically.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial suggests that low dose AZA does not have a role as a disease modifying agent in SS.
Price
E J
EJ
Department of Rheumatology, Charing Cross Hospital and Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, London, England, UK.
Rigby
S P
SP
Clancy
U
U
Venables
P J
PJ
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001379:Azathioprine