[Use of cyclosporin A in patients with severe, active, treatment-resistant rheumatoid arthritis ].
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystemic and chronic disease whose etiology still remains to know. RA and their complications implicate a huge cost, calculated in 1% of total national internal product in US.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of cyclosporine A in RA patients refractory to conventional treatment.


METHODS
Several improvement variables were used, such as Ritchie index, modified Sharp radiological scale, functional status, HAQ index, analog scale of pain, and PCR. 13 female were included with a mean age of 44 years (range 30-50), with a mean of RA evolution of 6 years (range 0.5-22); each patient received an initial dosage of 2.5 mg/day by oral microemulsion of cyclosporine A, with increasing dosage of 0.5 mg/kg/day, adjusting by seric values of creatinine.


RESULTS
RA patients were evaluated, initially and after three and six months. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests. In three months evaluation there was an improvement in functional status (p = 0.009). In six months evaluation there was an improvement in painful joints (p = 0.006), functional status (p = 0.007) and general comfort sensation (p = 0.014).


CONCLUSIONS
The cyclosporine use is considered an effective therapy, like disease modifier in RA refractory patients to conventional treatment in at least six months of the treatment.
Reyes Salinas
Alfredo
A
Departamento de Inmunología Clínica y Reumatología, Hospital Regional 1 de Octubre, ISSSTE, México DF.
Rojas Ramos
Enrique
E
Martínez Jiménez
Norma
N
D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein