THE USE OF ANTIMALARIALS IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER DISEASE-MODIFYING AGENTS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - THE FRENCH EXPERIENCE

A significant proportion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have an aggressive, severe disease that may contribute to excess mortality. I t has been suggested that early, aggressive therapy might improve the prognosis of these patients with active, severe rheumatoid arthritis. Combinations of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs including antim alarials are increasingly used in patients with active disease. While several open trials showed encouraging results, some controlled studie s gave less support for the use of combination therapy. Ongoing contro lled trials of double or triple combination therapy, such as hydroxych loroquine, methotrexate and sulphasalazine, should help define its pla ce in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis.