Study of Oral Gold ( Auranofin ) in Treatment of Iranian Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Preliminary Report of 6 Months Treatment

28 patients with classical / definite RA entered to a prospective open study evaluating efficacy and side effects of Auranofin. 21 patients completed 6 months of therapy with 6 mg Auranofin daily. Parameters of disease activity including Joint Tenderness Score, Joint Swelling Score, Walking Time and duration of Morning Stiffness improved significantly after 6 months (p<0.001). Grip strength, Summated Circumferences of lterphalangeal joints and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate did not change. Patient's assessment of global status using visual analogue scale improved. Functional Class changes after 6 months was recorded. Withdrawals were due to: Mucocutaneous side effects in 2. inefficacy in 1, lack of compliance in 2 and loss of follow up in2. we did not seediarrhea, hematological and renal side effects.