Chloroquine in long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The effect of long-term (18-70 months) chloroquine treatment 250 mg daily, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was studied in 20 patients. Sedimentation rates were significantly reduced, as compared to a reference group of 10 RA patients on no treatment of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Radiographical progression of the disease was low in the majority of chloroquine-treated patients but not significantly different from the finding in the patients of the reference group. Rapid radiographical progression during 2-3 years was, however, observed in 5 patients despite chloroquine treatment.