ESR normalization and remission in response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified
Conditions
Interventions
Intervention 1: Group 1 was treated by Methotrexate, Chloroquine and Prednisolone (MTX group). Chloroquine was prescribed with 150mg daily. Methotrexate was started with 0.2 mg/kg weekly and increas
Treatment - Drugs
Group 1 was treated by Methotrexate, Chloroquine and Prednisolone (MTX group). Chloroquine was prescribed with 150mg daily. Methotrexate was started with 0.2 mg/kg weekly and increased 2.5 mg monthl
Group 2 was treated by Azathioprine, Chloroquine and Prednisolone. Azathioprine and Chloroquine were started with 2 mg/kg/day and 150 mg/day, respectively. Prednisolone was started with 0.3 mg/kg/day
Sponsors
Rheumatology Department, Valiasr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Inclusion criteria: the age of 18 and over; fulfilling the the American College of Rheumatology criteria 1987 for rheumatoid arthritis; active disease which specified by ESR equal to or more than 20 in males and equal to or more than 30 in females; morning stiffness more than 30 minutes and equal to or more than 3 joints involved in physical exam. Exclusion criteria: stage IV disease; previous combination therapy with the same medication as in this study; liver or renal failure; pregnancy; active or chronic infection; anemia; ophthalmic complications of Chloroquine during follow up; patients with irregular visits; the patients without drug compliance and special medical complications such as rise of serum creatinine.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria:
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| ESR normalization (time to normalize ESR and percentage of normalization). Timepoint: 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 18th, 34th week. Method of measurement: westergren method. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Remission (time and percentage of achieving remission). Timepoint: 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 18th, 34th week. Method of measurement: clinical with physical exam and also ESR. | — |
Countries
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Contacts
Public ContactDr Sasan Fallahi
Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Outcome results
None listed