Thalidomide in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis

J Rheumatol. 1999 Nov;26(11):2344-7.

Abstract

Objective: To review outcomes in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with thalidomide.

Methods: We reviewed our experience with 10 patients treated with thalidomide using a standard therapeutic protocol and standard outcome measures.

Results: We observed no significant improvement in any outcome measure, likely as a consequence of the limited duration of therapy related to thalidomide toxicity.

Conclusion: Formal studies of the efficacy of thalidomide in RA are required with alternative doses of the compound used by us, or with compounds derived from other sources.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Thalidomide