[Effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid as a constituent of sulfasalazine in the treatment of chronic polyarthritis].

Sulphasalazine, a combination of sulphapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, has recently been shown to be an effective second line agent in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. 20 patients were treated for 12 weeks either with sulphasalazine or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to investigate whether 5-ASA is the active moiety. In a second investigation the analgesic effect of 5-ASA was studied. 5-ASA showed no second line effect and no analgesic effect. Sulphapyridine therefore appears to be the active moiety.