RESEARCH - Remicade may be helpful in early RA refractory to MTX

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Infliximab May Be Helpful in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Refractory to

Methotrexate

August 10, 2009 — Infliximab may be helpful in patients with early

rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate, according to the

1-year results of a randomized controlled trial reported in the August

8 issue of The Lancet.

" New treatment strategies for early rheumatoid arthritis are evolving

rapidly, " write R.F. van Vollenhoven, MD, from Karolinska University

Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues from the Swefot (Swedish

Pharmacotherapy) trial. " We aimed to compare addition of conventional

disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (sulfasalazine and

hydroxychloroquine) with addition of a tumour necrosis factor

antagonist (infliximab) to methotrexate in patients with early

rheumatoid arthritis. "

At 15 rheumatology units in Sweden, patients with early rheumatoid

arthritis (symptom duration < 1 year) were enrolled and given

methotrexate at dosages up to 20 mg/week. Those who could tolerate

methotrexate but had not achieved low disease activity after 3 to 4

months were computer randomized to receive the addition of either

sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine or infliximab.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/707210

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