An open, randomized comparison study of cyclosporine A, cyclosporine A + methotrexate and cyclosporine A + hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of early severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose: To determine whether a regimen of cyclosporine (CSA) and methotrexate (MTX), or CSA and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) introduced in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can produce a significant improvement in clinical outcome and/or retard radiographic damage in comparison with standard monotherapy with CSA alone.

Methods: One hundred five patients with active RA of less than 36 months duration, who had never previously been treated with immunosuppressive agents, were included in a 12-month, multi-center, open, randomized trial. Patients who fulfilled the criteria for early severe RA were randomized to receive either combination therapy (CSA + MTX n = 34, CSA + HCQ n = 35) or CSA alone (n = 36).

Correlation of the score for subjective pain with physical disability, clinical and radiographic scores in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: To analyse the relationship between subjective pain score and other measures of clinical, radiographic and functional status; in particular Larsen radiographic scores and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a disease duration of less than 3 years.

Methods: In this cross sectional study of 105 patients with RA (76 women, 29 men: mean age 50.93; mean disease duration 15.

Long-term safety and efficacy of low-dose cyclosporin A in severe psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of long-term treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: Sixty patients with PsA were enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomised study of CsA. Patients with hypertension or hypercreatinemia were excluded.