[Parenteral gold therapy (Tauredon) in chronic polyarthritis]

Between 1972 and 1983, 519 patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to ARA criteria underwent basic antirheumatic treatment with Tauredon (sodium aurothiamalate). Patient age was 19 to 78 years, and the disease had been active for 6 months to 8 years. Results of treatment were recorded for periods of 14 days to 8 years. After a test dose of 10 mg intramuscular, patients received weekly injections of 20 to 50 mg for 4 to 6 months and were subsequently placed on a maintenance dose of 50 mg at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks for years. Clinical examinations and laboratory tests were scheduled at weekly intervals in the first month of treatment, at 2-weekly intervals in the next two months and subsequently once every month. In the first years of this trial (up to 1975) response to treatment was evaluated by the criteria reported by Fähndrich [2] and Steinbrocker [10]. Later Ritchie's joint index [6], laboratory parameters (sedimentation rate, CRP and alpha 2 globulin) as well as the consumption of non-steroidal antirheumatics and corticosteroids were equally used. Results were found to be excellent to good in 316 patients (= 60.8%) and satisfactory in 104 (= 20.1%). 99 patients (= 19.1%) were rated as failures. The drug was well tolerated in 391 cases (= 75.37%), but had to be withdrawn in 128 (= 24.6%) because of side effects. Among these, cutaneous and mucosal symptoms, which occurred in 70 patients (= 13.47% of the total), were most prominent. Serious side effects were absent throughout.