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Auranofin is safe and superior to placebo in elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract
The efficacy, toxicity and possible steroid-sparing properties of auranofin in the treatment of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) were studied in a 2 yr prospective double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Sixty-five patients with onset of arthritis after the age of 60 yr were randomized to either auranofin 3 mg b.i.d. [n = 31, age 70 (61-84) yr, median (range)] or placebo tablets [n = 34, age 72 (60-81) yr]. Oral prednisolone, starting dose 7.5 or 20 mg daily, was used as a rescue drug in patients with intolerable joint pain and stiffness and with C-reactive protein (CRP) > or = 20 mg/l, and was tapered down according to protocol guidelines. Patients receiving auranofin continued therapy for a longer period of time (55% completers) than those on placebo medication (18% completers). The auranofin group consumed significantly less prednisolone, 2.64 (0-11.85) mg/day [median (range)], compared to 5.0 (0-18.33) mg/day in the placebo group (P = 0.006). No group differences at 2 yr follow-up were found for changes in joint pain (P = 0.49), number of swollen joints (P = 0.61), Health Assessment Questionnaire score (P = 0.18) and radiographic damage score (Larsen-Dale index) of the hands (P = 0.84). Within-group changes in radiographic scores were also insignificant. The drop-out rate due to adverse events was surprisingly higher in the placebo group (41%) than in the auranofin group (10%) and, as expected, higher due to lack of effect (29 and 16%). The results indicate that auranofin is safe, superior to placebo and has steroid-sparing capacity in the treatment of EORA. The favourable radiographic outcome in both groups needs confirmation in future studies.
AuthorsA Glennås, T K Kvien, O Andrup, O Clarke-Jenssen, B Karstensen, U Brodin
JournalBritish journal of rheumatology (Br J Rheumatol) Vol. 36 Issue 8 Pg. 870-7 (Aug 1997) ISSN: 0263-7103 [Print] England
PMID9291856 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Placebos
  • Auranofin
  • Prednisolone
Topics
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, epidemiology)
  • Auranofin (therapeutic use)
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos
  • Prednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

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