Methotrexate versus azathioprine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A forty‐eight–week randomized, double‐blind trial

Abstract

We conducted a double-blind, randomized trial comparing azathioprine (AZA) and methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in whom parenteral gold and/or D-penicillamine treatment had been unsuccessful. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either AZA (100 mg daily) or oral MTX (7.5 mg weekly). After 8 weeks, the dosage was increased depending on the clinical improvement. Sixty-four patients were followed up for 48 weeks (33

Circulating soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors, interleukin‐2 receptors, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin‐6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis.

“…The details of the study have been extensively described (21,22). Briefly, 64 patients with active definite or classic RA entered a 48-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of MTX versus AZA.…”

“…In the present study, circulating concentrations of sTNFR, s I L -~R , TNFa, and IL-6 were serially measured in patients included in the trial conducted by Jeurissen et a1 (21). The aim was to assess whether these concentrations (a) reflected differences in clinical response, (b) correlated with each other and with clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity, and (c) were differentially influenced by the drugs used.…”

“…In a recent randomized double-blind trial conducted in our center, methotrexate (MTX) proved to be superior to azathioprine (AZA) in the treatment of active RA (21,22). In the present study, circulating concentrations of sTNFR, s I L -~R , TNFa, and IL-6 were serially measured in patients included in the trial conducted by Jeurissen et a1 (21).…”

Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Consensus Recommendations From the Turkish League Against Rheumatism

“…Intraarticular local corticosteroids can be used in cases of monoarthritis. 16. Patient specific exercises, assistive and adaptive devices, protective and/or corrective ortheses, physical therapy modalities, balneotherapy, spa therapy and hydrotherapy should be used as non-pharmacological treatments in RA.…”

“…[14] Synthetic DMARDs are known to improve symptoms, articular findings, and physical function while also slowing down radiological progression. [15][16][17] Thus, the initial treatment approach should include synthetic DMARDs due to the high cost of biological DMARDs, which are also known to be effective in the early stage of the disease. It has been emphasized in several articles in which recommendations for the management of RA are published (i.e.…”