Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with auranofin and gold sodium thiomalate

Forty-two patients with psoriatic arthritis were included in a multicenter, double-blind trial comparing auranofin and gold sodium thiomalate (GST) for 6 months, followed by a 6-month open treatment. Fifty-two percent of the patients on auranofin and 33% on GST were able to complete the 1-year course of therapy. As a result of the study we conclude that both gold compounds are effective agents in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Degree of improvement of arthritis was better in the GST group, but the number of improved patients was greater in the auranofin group. Two patients on auranofin were withdrawn for side effects (one diarrhoea, one worsening of psoriasis) and 5 on GST (rash 2, total loss of appetite 1, exacerbation of psoriasis 2). Comparing the side effects of both compounds, auranofin is less likely to aggravate the psoriatic condition or result in withdrawal of patients for adverse reactions.