Haematuria occurring during antirheumatoid therapy

One hundred and ninety-one patients treated with gold and penicillamine over a seven-year period were reviewed retrospectively for the occurrence of haematuria. Over this period 10% had shown haematuria, and in over half of these an identifiable cause was found. In the remaining patients, a clear relationship with their treatment seemed likely in only two. Penicillamine therapy was discontinued in all patients with unexplained haematuria, but two patients have continued to show haematuria. Gold therapy has been continued in the presence of haematuria without ill effect. There has been no deterioration in renal function in those patients who have continued to show unexplained haematuria and at no time was proteinuria an accompanying feature.