Erschienen in:
29.10.2015 | Originalien
Iguratimod in combination with methotrexate in active rheumatoid
arthritis
Therapeutic effects
verfasst von:
Z. Xia, J. Lyu, N. Hou, L. Song, X. Li, H. Liu
Erschienen in:
Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie
|
Ausgabe 8/2016
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Abstract
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a potentially destructive disease that may have a
profound impact on patients’ function and quality of life. RA therapy is still a
challenge for rheumatologists; however, new antirheumatic drugs may be a
treatment option for disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-experienced
patients with active RA.
Objectives
The present study is a prospective trial that aims to investigate the effects
of therapy with iguratimod plus methotrexate (MTX) in comparison with iguratimod
or MTX monotherapy in DMARD-experienced adult patients with active RA.
Methods
A total of 131 patients (24 men, 107 women, mean age 46.63 ± 10.61 years) with
a history of being treated with traditional DMARDs were investigated. In all,
44 patients were treated with iguratimod (25 mg, twice daily, orally) plus MTX
(a weekly dose of 10 mg, orally), 38 patients received iguratimod (25 mg, twice
daily, orally), or 49 patients received MTX (weekly dose of 10 mg, orally) for
24 weeks.
Results
A therapeutic effect with iguratimod was observed between 4 and 10 weeks after
treatment initiation and was effective even in patients who had a poor response
to previous treatment with DMARDs. The combination of iguratimod with MTX was
superior to iguratimod or MTX monotherapy.
Conclusion
The data imply that iguratimod is a welcome addition to the small-molecule
drug therapy for DMARD-experienced patients with active RA. Iguratimod (alone or
in combination with MTX) is an emerging option for the treatment of
DMARD-experienced adult patients with active RA who have had an inadequate
response to or are intolerant of other DMARDs.