Combination therapy of cyclosporine with methotrexate and gold in rheumatoid arthritis (2 pilot studies).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cyclosporine A (CyA) in combination with gold and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Twenty patients with RA with partial response to oral MTX and 20 patients with partial response to im gold had CyA added to their regimen for 6 months, withdrawn over 2 months and the patients monitored for 4 months.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement in joint count, joint score, joint swelling, grip strength and joint pain in patients taking the combination with no significant increase in adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION

CyA in combination with gold or MTX may, over a 6 month period, increase efficacy in patients with refractory RA without significant increase in toxicity.