The use of methotrexate in steroid-resistant systemic lupus erythematosus.

Although the use of methotrexate (MTX) is gaining acceptance in the treatment of several connective tissue diseases, there is little evidence of its therapeutic value in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the response to MTX in patients with steroid-resistant SLE in an open, unblinded study. Of 10 SLE patients treated with MTX (7.

Low-dose D-penicillamine therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. A controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

Two hundred twenty-five patients with active severe rheumatoid arthritis were admitted to a multiclinic, controlled, double-blind trial comparing the use of 500 mg D-penicillamine per day, 125 mg D-penicillamine per day, and placebo. One hundred seventy-one patients completed at least 30 weeks of therapy. The 500 mg D-penicillamine group demonstrated statistically significant improvement over the placebo group in grip strength, average circumference of swollen proximal interphalangeal joints, and patient assessment.