Changes in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis during the period 1979 to 1996.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), cytotoxic agents, and corticosteroid therapy in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in two periods, 1979 to 1987, and 1988 to 1996.


METHODS
Review of the records of 788 patients with RA diagnosed at the Department of Rheumatology, the University Hospital of Tromsø.


RESULTS
We found a significant increase in the proportion of patients who started with auranofin, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, and corticosteroids in 1988 1996 compared to 1979 1987. The initiation of use of gold salts, antimalarials, and D-penicillamine declined significantly from the first to the second period.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients diagnosed with RA between 1988-1996 were treated more actively than patients diagnosed in the period 1979-1987. During 1988 to 1996 auranofin, sulphasalazine, methotrexate, and corticosteroids replaced gold salts, antimalarials, and D-penicillamine.
Riise
T
T
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Rheumatology, University of Tromsø, Norway. tove.riise@rito.no
Jacobsen
B K
BK
Gran
J T
JT
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; D005938:Glucocorticoids