[Unwanted reactions to modifying antirheumatic drugs].
OBJECTIVE
To specify causes of discontinuation of the disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMAD) used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by the results of special questionnaire survey.


METHODS
The study included 298 RA patients treated in the Institute of Rheumatology (34 males and 264 females aged 18-82, mean age 54.6%, duration of the disease 1 to 38 years, mean 10.7 years) who responded to questioning.


RESULTS
The following DMAD were used: metotrexate (n = 137), sulfasalasine (n = 49), aminoquinoline drugs (n = 33), chlorbutin (n = 19), azathioprin (n = 13), tauredon (n = 11), cyclophosphamide (n = 5). The drugs were discontinued due to unwanted effects in 50, 10, 46, 9, 4, 3, 3 (methotrexate, sulfasalasin, aminoquinolines, chlorbutin, azathioprin, Ag salts, cyclophosphamide, respectively). Cyclophosphamide and chlorbutin appeared most toxic, while sulfasalasine and aminoquinolines were found least effective.


CONCLUSIONS
DMAD discontinuation rate ranges from 12.1% (aminoquinolines) to 60% (cyclophosphamide), mean 31.1%.
Evsikova
M D
MD
Muraviev
Iu V
IuV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents