[Chloroquine in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis].

In 30 patients (20 males and 10 females) wih psoriatic arthritis chloroquine was administered in a dosage of 250 mg daily per os. After 12 months of monitoring decreased number of swollen and painfully tender joints were found as well as shortening in duration of morning stiffness. As for laboratory parameters lowering of the average values of ESR and alpha-2 globulins were found whilst there were no changes of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and CRP. Worsening of skin lesions was observed in only 2 patients (6.5%). These results suggest that synthetic antimalarials (chloroquine) can be successfully used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis with special care.