[Pyrithioxin and rheumatoid polyarthritis]

After reviewing the literature, the authors demonstrate that pyrithioxine is active in rheumatoid arthritis. The effectiveness is marked by a 50 per cent reduction in the articular index in 59.7 per cent of cases, a reduction in the duration of morning stiffness in 49 per cent of cases, a decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 52.4 per cent of cases and a statistically significant decrease in the mean of these parameters in relation to the mean value at the beginning of treatment. The good results were considered to be those cases in which two of the three criteria (articular index, morning stiffness and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were decreased by at least 50 per cent. Secondary escapes from treatment (13 per cent) and suspension of treatment for intolerance were considered to represent treatment failures. A good result was obtained in 42.7 per cent of cases. Side effects were observed in 40.1 per cent of cases and were responsible for suspension of treatment in 22.8 per cent of cases. Half of the side effects consisted of muco-cutaneous reactions which generally appeared early and were benign. Haematological, renal and gastrointestinal effects and aguestia occurred more rarely. However, a number of patients died as a result of agranulocytosis, hepatitis or extramembranous glomerulonephritis.