Treatment of Active Rheumatoid Arthritis With Leflunomide Compared With Placebo and Methotrexate

摘要: rheumatic drugs had failed. The ACR response and success rates for patients receiving leflunomide treatment (52% 41%, respectively) methotrexate (46% 35%, were significantly higher than those placebo (26% 19%, (P,.001), they statistically equivalent, with mean time to initial at 8.4 weeks vs 9.5 therapy. X-ray analyses demonstrated less disease progression (P#.001) (P = .02) therapy placebo. Leflunomide improved measures of physical function health-related quality life more (P,.001 P,.05, respectively). Common adverse events included gastrointestinal complaints, skin rash, reversible alopecia. Asymptomatic transaminase elevations resulted in discontinuations 7.1% therapy, 1.7% placebo, 3.3% Conclusions: Clinical responses following administration leflunomide, a new therapeutic agent the RA, superior equivalent treatment. Both active treatments signs symptoms delayed as by x-ray films, life. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159:2542-2550