title: Efficacy and Toxicity Profile of Methotrexate Chloroquine Combination in Treatment of Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was conducted to study the efficacy and toxicity profile of methotrexate chloroquine combination in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 patients of rheumatoid arthritis confirming to revised American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria were studied prospectively for twenty months. Clinical evaluation was made every 3 months. Clinical disease variables measured at each visit were number of joints with swelling, number of joints with tenderness and pain, duration of morning stiffness and physician and patient assessment of disease activity. Blood counts, liver function tests and other adverse effects due to drugs were monitored every 2 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10 patients demonstrated more than 50% improvement. 4 patients withdrew from study, 2 because of excessive nausea and vomiting and 2 because of noncompliance. Other side effects noted were hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity, skin rashes, raised transaminases and stomatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methotrexate chloroquine combination has good efficacy and toxicity profile. Gastrointestinal side effects are most common and usually responsible for the discontinuation of the drugs.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Medicine & Rheumatology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Singal
authors.affiliation: Senior Adviser (Medicine & Rheumatology), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt.
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.affiliation: Graded Specialist(Medicine), Military Hospital Alwar.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Brar
keywords: Chloroquine; Efficacy; Methotrexate; Rheumatoid arthritis; Toxicity