Gold therapy in arthritis treatment.

The purpose of this article is to familiarize primary care providers with the use of gold salts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Gold salts used carefully can be very effective in controlling the disease when used in conjunction with other anti-inflammatory medicines. Side effects of gold therapy can be potentially dangerous; but used cautiously, gold can be of great value in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The dosage schedule of gold salts described in this article is the current method of administering gold salts. The side effects--dermatological, hematological, and renal are described, and the parameters that need to be followed are also included. The flow sheet in the article can be used by health care providers as a part of the medical record in which lab results and amount of gold can be kept current. The article also emphasizes that a nurse practitioner should be aware of the emotional and financial status of the patient.