Radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: results of 3 comparative trials.

In 3 clinical trials the effects of 6 different disease modifying antirheumatic drugs on radiographic progression were evaluated. Despite the wide range in disease duration of patients in the different studies, a statistically significant slowing of radiographic progression was found in those patients treated with aurothioglucose, sulfasalazine, and methotrexate compared to auranofin, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine, respectively. These drugs might therefore be considered as disease controlling antirheumatic drugs.