Oral chrysotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: minimum effective dose
Finkelstein, A.E.; Roisman, F.R.; Batista, V.; de Nudelman, F.G.; de Titto, E.H.; Mizraji, M.; Walz, D.T.
Journal of Rheumatology 7(2): 160-168
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 6768887 Document Number: 164723
We studied the dose-response to a new oral gold compound in 28 patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis, divided in 4 groups of 7 patients, each treated with different doses of auranofin for 3 months. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded weekly, and blood gold levels (BGL) measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Six and 9 mg daily doses of auranofin were most effective based on clinical and laboratory results. Correlation studies between BGL and percent decrease of humoral measurements, within the 3 months were statistically were statistically significant. Mean BGL, associated with clinical improvement, reached 0.73 microgram/ml, and was accompanied by a 17.6% decrease from initial value of IgG, 17.1% of alpha 2-globulin, 48.9% of RF titer and 25.9% of ESR.