TREATMENT OF SERONEGATIVE OLIGOARTHRITIS WITH SALAZOPYRIN

  • 1 March 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (2) , 79-82
Abstract
In an open, controlled study we treated 55 patients suffering of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 29 patients suffering of Bechterew''s disease (MB) and 16 patients with Reiter''s syndrome with Salazopyrin at a daily dosage of 2000 mg. We monitored the following criteria of activity: (1) duration of morning stiffness, (2) joint index, (3) global well being scored by the patient and (4) erythrocyte sedimentation rate. All these criteria improved during the treatment; there was a profound improvement in the RS group, whereas the MB group showed only a slight improvement; the PsA group ended between this two extremes. The effect of the drug appeared between week 5 and 15 of treatment. 21% of all patients had to discontinue the treatment because of severe side effects; this figure correlates with the percentages given in the literature. Most of these side effects appeared from week 3 to week 7 of treatment; after week 15 none of the patients had to discontinue the medication because of severe side effects.