Meta-analysis of injectable gold in rheumatoid arthritis

A pooled estimate of the magnitude of the benefit and side effects of injectable gold salts in rheumatoid arthritis was computed using meta-analysis based upon available evidence in the literature. Active joint count, grip strength, functional capacity, hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were pooled. The change in percentage in favor of gold (adjusted for placebo) was as follows: active joint count 30.1%, (p less than 0.00001), grip strength 13.7% (p less than 0.013), functional capacity 13% (p less than 0.0005), hemoglobin concentration 5.3% (p less than 0.02), and ESR 19.6% (p less than 0.02). Pooling of side effects gave the following results: side effect withdrawals were 11% (p less than 0.01), dermatitis occurred in 15% and proteinuria in 0.7% more patients than in the placebo group.