EFFICACY OF AVEMAR® IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA)
Center: National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest
Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Géza Bálint MD, PhD, DSc, Head of Department
Duration of study: 1999-2001
Number of patients: 15
Mean duration of Avemar treatment: 12 months
Staging of patients at baseline: Steinbrocker II-III, stagnated or deteriorated for 3 months
Specification of therapy:
Basic therapy (BT): Chloroquine, Methotrexate, Cyclosporin, Sulfasalazine
Steroid therapy (ST): Dexamethason, Methylprednisolon, Triamcinolon, Prednisolon
BT + Avemar: 2 pts
ST + Avemar: 3 pts
BT + ST + Avemar: 8 pts
NSAID + Avemar: 2 pts
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All together: 15 patients
Results (end-point analysis)
Ritchie index significantly decreased (p < 0,003)
HAQ (Health Assessement Questionnaire) index significantly decreased (p < 0,014)
Morning ancylosis
Ceased: 2 pts
Improved: 9 pts
No changes: 1 pt
Increased: 1 pt
(2 patients had not got morning ancylosis.)
Laboratory values
Westergreen (WE, or sedimentation rate) significantly decreased, p < 0,033
CRP level decreased (non-significant change, NS)
Haematocrit value: significantly decreased, p < 0,009
Haemoglobin remained unchanged
Liver functions: remained unchanged
Kidney functions: remained unchanged
Steroid dosage: significantly decreased, p < 0,031
Conclusions: Treatment of therapy resistant RA patients by Avemar produced surprisingly favourable results. As regards clinical parameters, all patients improved considerably; moreover, it was possible to decrease steroid doses for patients. Their values of WE were significantly reduced; their CRP values also decreased, though not significantly.
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