Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Combination DMARD Therapy with Salazosulfapyridine.

Fifty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated for the effect of combination DMARD therapy. Various combinations of DMARDs for the treatment of active RA were used, although in this study about 80% of RA patients were treated using combination DMARD therapy with salazosulfapyridine(SASP). The combination therapy with SASP was maintained for more than 2 years in 12 patients (21.8%). During the first 6 months of combination therapy 50.9% (28/55) of the patients had an overall favorable response. The incidence of side effects was 23.6% (13/55), but this was almost the same as that reported for single DMARD therapy. The results revealed that combination DMARD therapy with SASP is an effective therapy to use before changing from one DMARD to another.