These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: [Retrospective study of adverse events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with second-line drugs].
    Author: Jiang L, Zhao N, Ni L.
    Journal: Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi; 2002 Jun; 23(3):213-7. PubMed ID: 12411093.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rates on the adverse side effect and discontinuation of second-line drugs frequently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: Eight hundred and sixty-four RA patients were studied in a retrospective program. RESULTS: Upper abdominal discomfort was most commonly seen when using second-line drugs. Rash was often associated with D-penicillamine (20.6%) and Sinomenium therapy (13.7%). Methotrexate (MTX) was uniquely characterized by substantial upper GI toxicity (32.2%) and Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TWH) (14.4%) by menstrual abnormality. Sulfasalazine users reported adverse events including upper abdominal trouble (39.0%), nausea (7.3%) and anorexia (7.3%) while the risk of GI malaise was greater. Patients taking hydroxychloroquine complained of blurred vision (19.6%) but no one went blind. Toxic side effects seemed to be the most common reasons for stoppages, and the patients taking MTX had the lowest discontinuation rate. Combination of D-penicillamine and Methotrexate did not increase the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge on these different patterns of toxicity provided choices in the selection of second line agents for particular RA patients. However, long-term monitor are required when drugs are being used.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]