Comparison of cyclosporine and D-penicillamine for rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double blind, multicenter study.

Author(s): van Rijthoven AW, Dijkmans BA, The HS, Meijers KA, Montnor-Beckers ZL, Moolenburgh JD, Boers M, Cats A

Affiliation(s): Department of Rheumatology, Deaconess Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Publication date & source: 1991-06, J Rheumatol., 18(6):815-20.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

Ninety-two patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were entered in a randomized double blind study of 24 weeks comparing cyclosporine (initial daily dose 5 mg/kg) with D-penicillamine (initial daily dose 250 mg). The groups were well balanced in baseline characteristics. In the cyclosporine group, 10 patients stopped prematurely, one because of inefficacy. In the D-penicillamine group, 9 patients stopped prematurely, 3 because of inefficacy. The 2 antirheumatic drugs were equally effective in reducing disease activity, except for a significant (p = 0.005) decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate with D-penicillamine treatment. We conclude that under the conditions of this trial, cyclosporine can serve as an alternative to D-penicillamine for the treatment of patients with RA.