Repeated cyclosporine therapy of peripheral arthritis associated with ankylosing spondylitis.
BACKGROUND
A case history of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and peripheral arthritis unresponsive to the conventional drug therapy, but successfully controlled by the use of cyclosporin.


METHODS
In a 68 years old female patient with a 36 years history of typical ankylosing spondylitis a peripheral polyarthritis (hands, feet, wrists, and knees) developed. The patient did not suffer any other disease known to cause secondary spondylitis (psoriasis, inflammatory, bowel, disease). After the unsuccessful use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs a combination therapy with cyclosporin (4 mg/kg/day) and azapropazone (300 mg t.i.d.) was introduced.


RESULTS
Clinical improvement was achieved after 6 months of combined therapy, the polyarthritis completely resolved after one year. Therefore cyclosporin was discontinued. After one year the polyarthritis reappeared therefore the cyclosporin therapy was reinstituted with success.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclosporin has proved consistently effective in our case to control the peripheral arthritis associated with ankylosing spondylitis.
Géher
P
P
Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Semmelweis University of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
Gömör
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001032:Apazone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001416:Back Pain; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001032:Apazone