Reumacon (CPH82) showed similar x-ray progression and clinical effects as methotrexate in a two year comparative study on patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To study x-ray development and clinical effects, tolerability and safety after 2 years treatment of RA patients with Reumacon (CPH82) or methotrexate (MTX).


METHODS
This study is a 74 week open continuation of a 24 week double blind comparison of 100 patients with early RA (disease duration less than 2 years) treated either with Reumacon or MTX.


RESULTS
The mean Larsen scores and the mean number of erosions increased significantly from baseline to 24 weeks and from 24 weeks to endpoint in both groups with no significant difference between them. Both groups had improved significantly in all clinical variables after 24 weeks and this improvement was sustained after two years.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiological progression in patients treated with CPH82 was similar to that in patients treated with MTX. The clinical effect of the two drugs was sustained over the two year trial in both treatment groups.
Svensson
Björn
B
Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Helsingborg's lasarett, Helsingborg, Sweden. bjoern.svensson@swipnet.se
Pettersson
Holger
H
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001175:Arthrography; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006027:Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D017705:Lignans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C059428:CPH 82; D006027:Glycosides; D017705:Lignans; D008727:Methotrexate