CPH-82 (REUMACON(R)) VERSUS AURANOFIN (RIDAURA(R)) - A 36-WEEK STUDY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ONSET OF ACTION RATES IN RA

The onset of action rate of CPH-82 (Reumacon(R)), was compared with th at of auranofin (AUR; Ridaura(R)) in a 36-week randomised, double-blin d, multicentre study of 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As compared with respective baseline values, the CPH-82 group manifested significant improvement in grip strength, Ritchie's articular index ( RAI), pain ratings, and HAQ (health assessment questionnaire) scores a fter 8, 12, 24, and 36 weeks of treatment, with the exception of the 2 4-week HAQ score. The AUR group manifested corresponding improvement i n RAI after 8, 12, 24, and 36 weeks. Significant differences in change s from baseline values in favour of the CPH-82 group were found for gr ip strength at 12 and 24 weeks, RAI score at 8 weeks, VAS score at 8 a nd 12 weeks, and HAQ score at 8 weeks. The findings suggest CPH-82 to manifest a more rapid onset of action than AUR. The two drugs were sim ilar in tolerance and safety.