Sulphasalazine in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: a preliminary open trial

Sulphasalazine was administered to 18 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The mean duration of therapy was 7.8 +/- 2.6 months. There was significant improvement in all clinical variables and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Five children developed minor and transient side effects. Medication was discontinued in 3 patients: one because of leukopenia, 2 for lack of effect. These results suggest that sulphasalazine is an effective and relatively safe drug which may prove to be a useful second line agent in the management of JRA.