Auranofin versus placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract In a six-month, multicenter, double-blind study Involving 340 patients, auranofin, 3 mg twice daily, was compared with placebo in the treatment of adult-onset rheumatoid arthritis. All patients were continued on a therapeutic regimen of salicylates and/or a newer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Patients in both treatment groups who completed six months of therapy with coded medications showed significant improvement in the clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis (that is, number of tender and swollen joints, severity of pain, grip strength and duration of morning stiffness); however, the mean improvement was greater in the auranofin-treated group. Fifty-two percent of the auranofin-treated patients compared with 24 percent of the placebo-treated patients (p