© 1995 British Society for Rheumatology
Long-Term Usage and Side-Effect Profile of Sulphasalazine in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Nijmegen The Netherlands
Correspondense to: P. L. C. M. Van Riel, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, Goert Grootplein 8, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| Abstract |
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In a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, sulphasalazine (SASP) was mainly given as a first-choice second-line agent. SASP resulted in a significantly better survival rate compared with hydroxychloroquine, which is also given as a first-choice agent. When the survival rate of SASP was compared with that of aurothioglucose, both given as second-choice agents, again, a statistically significant better survival rate was found for SASP. In 9% of the patients, SASP could be withdrawn as a complete remission was obtained. Adverse reactions occurred mainly during the first 3 months of treatment, and in 20% of patients these were severe enough to stop treatment. Gastrointestinal adverse reactions were most frequently observed, and all adverse reactions were completely reversible after treatment withdrawal. Treatment was started with a standard dose of 2000 mg/day. However, in
30% of the patients, this dose was increased up to 3000 mg/day and, in another 30%, the dose was decreased to 1500 or 1000 mg/day.
KEY WORDS: Rheumatoid arthritis, Sulphasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine, Aurothioglucose, Survival