Long-term cyclosporin continuation rates in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the continuation rate of cyclosporin therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients followed for at least three years.


METHODS
Retrospective medical chart review of rheumatoid arthritis patients on cyclosporin. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on a visual analog scale pain score, Ritchie's articular index, and Lee's functional index. Nonparametric Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to evaluate continuation rates.


RESULTS
24 cyclosporin-treated patients with a mean age of 58 years and a mean disease duration of ten years were included in the study; 87% had received three second-line drugs prior to cyclosporin. Mean cyclosporin treatment duration was 28 months (range, 1-103 months). Overall cyclosporin continuation rates were 75% after four months and 50% after 36 months. Toxicity and inefficacy caused 33% and 13% of cyclosporin discontinuations, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The continuation rate of cyclosporin was satisfactory and similar to that reported for other second-line drugs.
Carpentier
N
N
Rheumatology Department, Dupuytren Teaching Hospital, Limoges, France.
Bertin
P
P
Druet-Cabanac
M
M
Abdeddaïm
M
M
Vergne
P
P
Bonnet
C
C
Trèves
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine