Thalidomide in the treatment of refractory rheumatoid arthritis

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.