[Effectiveness of D-penicillamine therapy in chronic polyarthritis]

In 52 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis the therapeutic efficacy of 600 mg/die of D-penicillamine was evaluated for two years in a prospective trial. Patients were included in the study only if the duration of their disease exceeded 6 months (upper limit 12 months), and there was involvement of 6 or more joints and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1 hour values greater than or equal to 25 mm). In 26 patients (50%) a decline in the activity index could be observed, but 18 of these subjects had a deterioration of findings as assessed by X-ray. The increase of the activity index indicated no therapeutic benefit in 26 patients (50%), which could be confirmed in 23 subjects by X-rays.