Does second-line therapy affect the radiological progression of rheumatoid arthritis?. Issue 1 (February 1984)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pullar, T; Hunter, J A; Capell, H A
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 43:Issue 1(1984)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 1984-02
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.43.1.18
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : The effect of 'second-line' drugs on radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, and previous studies have yielded contradictory results. Sixty-seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been followed up clinically and radiologically for approximately 2 years (26 patients were receiving intramuscular gold, 21 penicillamine, 10 levamisole, and there were 10 controls who had consistently refused second-line therapy). Patients on gold and penicillamine showed improvement in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and haemoglobin over 2 years which was not seen in levamisole and control patients, but hand radiograph scores in all 4 groups showed statistically significant deterioration. There was a trend towards slowing of the rate of erosion in the gold and penicillamine groups in comparison with controls, but healing of erosions was extremely unusual.