Gold treatment at an early stage of rheumatoid arthritis.

The progression of erosive X-ray changes over a period of 5--6 years was evaluated in 39 patients exposed to a mean dose of 2030 mg aurothiomalate during the maintenance period. The cause for the low dose was the initial high incidence of side-effects. The progression of erosions was highest in patients with the low dose of gold in the initial stages of the disease. The best result in preventing development of erosions was achieved in patients with the high dose of gold in the early phase of the disease. It appears that gold treatment prevents the progression of the erosoins. The earlier the inception of treatment, the better the result.