LOW-DOSE CYCLOSPORINE IN EARLY RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - EFFECTIVE AND SAFE AFTER 2 YEARS OF THERAPY WHEN COMPARED WITH CHLOROQUINE

Forty-four patients with early RA who had participated in a six months double-blind trial, comparing cyclosporine A (CsA) (n=22) with chloro quine (Chi) (n=22), were followed for a further 18 months irrespective of their treatment status. At two years follow up, the mean CsA dose was 2.7+/-1.1 mg/kg/day (n=15) and the dose of Chi (n=11) was 100 mg/d ay in every patient. Maximal difference in efficacy (represented by th e percentage of patients who fulfilled the Paulus 50% response) was re ached at one year (CsA group: 68% and Chi group: 36%; p=0.07). At two years, the differences in efficacy and toxicity between the two groups had diminished. The conclusions of this followup study are: 1. maxima l efficacy of low dose CsA in early RA patients is reached after one y ear of therapy. 2. CsA can maintain clinical efficacy and safety compa rable to Chi for a period of at least two years.