OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sulfasalazine (SSZ) at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is effective for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) resistant to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy. METHODS:Two hundred twenty-one patients with PsA were recruited from 15 clinics, randomized (double-blind) to SSZ or placebo treatment, and followed up for 36 weeks. Treatment response was based on joint pain/ tenderness and swelling scores and physician and patient global assessments. RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis revealed a trend favoring SSZ treatment (P = 0.13). At the end of treatment, response rates were 57.8% for SSZ compared with 44.6% for placebo (P = 0.05). The Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate declined more in the PsA patients taking SSZ than in those taking placebo (P < 0.0001). Adverse reactions were fewer than expected and were mainly due to nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints, including dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. CONCLUSION:SSZ at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is well tolerated and may be more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with PsA.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sulfasalazine (SSZ) at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is effective for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) resistant to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one patients with PsA were recruited from 15 clinics, randomized (double-blind) to SSZ or placebo treatment, and followed up for 36 weeks. Treatment response was based on joint pain/ tenderness and swelling scores and physician and patient global assessments. RESULTS: Longitudinal analysis revealed a trend favoring SSZ treatment (P = 0.13). At the end of treatment, response rates were 57.8% for SSZ compared with 44.6% for placebo (P = 0.05). The Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate declined more in the PsA patients taking SSZ than in those taking placebo (P < 0.0001). Adverse reactions were fewer than expected and were mainly due to nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints, including dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. CONCLUSION:SSZ at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is well tolerated and may be more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with PsA.
Authors: E Kruithof; F Van den Bosch; D Baeten; A Herssens; F De Keyser; H Mielants; E M Veys Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: Huiqin Yang; Dawn Craig; David Epstein; Laura Bojke; Kate Light; Ian N Bruce; Mark Sculpher; Nerys Woolacott Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2012-04 Impact factor: 4.981
Authors: A Kavanaugh; G G Krueger; A Beutler; C Guzzo; B Zhou; L T Dooley; P J Mease; D D Gladman; K de Vlam; P P Geusens; C Birbara; D G Halter; C Antoni Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2006-11-17 Impact factor: 19.103