RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH DAPSONE ON HEMOGLOBIN

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 11  (6) , 776-778
Abstract
Hb concentration was measured at 6 wk intervals for up to a yr in 84 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with dapsone. During the 1st 6 wk, mean Hb decreased from 12.0-11.0 g/dl (P < 0.001). Falls in Hb occurred in 81% of patients but exceeded 2 g/dl in only 10%. After more than 6 wk of treatment mean Hb increased, though a few individuals became anemic during this period. Anemia led to discontinuation of dapsone in 5 (6%) patients. Men and patients receiving corticosteroids had higher pretreatment Hb values; after falls in mean Hb at 6 wk, recovery was more rapid in these 2 subgroups. Changes in Hb produced by 100 mg and 150 mg dapsone daily were similar.