title: [Preliminary results in the therapy of psoriatic arthritis with mycophenolate mofetil].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoriatic arthritis concerns both the skin and the joints. Therapeutic interventions should therefore ideally improve both symptoms. Current disease modifying drugs are effective; however, they are usually limited to either psoriasis or arthritis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the therapeutic effects of a new immunosuppressive drug (Mycophenolate mofetil) in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients with psoriatic arthritis were treated with Mycophenolate mofetil for a period of 12 weeks and examined every 14 days (range of motion, joint swelling, joint deformity, PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index). In addition, a life quality assessment (SF-36 Health Survey) was performed. White and red blood count as well as inflammation parameter were controlled regularly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  6 patients could be included in a complete follow-up (5 men, 1 woman, average age 50.3 years, average duration of psoriasis 8.3 years, average duration of arthritis 5.7 years). Four of 6 patients showed relevant improvement in pain, mobility and degree of psoriatic skin effluorescences. Only 3 of 6 showed relevant improvement in life quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time results of treatment of psoriatic arthritis with a new immunosuppressive drug (Mycophenolate mofetil) were presented. A positive influence on both, the arthritis and the psoriasis could be shown. These first observations warrant controlled, randomized clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schräder
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mooser
authors.forename: R U
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Puhl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid