Comparative Study of Leflunomide Treatment for Active RA

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of LEF treatment for patients with actict RA. Methods Sixty-five patients of active RA were divided into 2 groups,27 in LEF group, 38 in the combined treatment group .The dosage of LEF,MTX and D-penicillamin were 20mg/d(50mg/d in first 3 days),7.5mg/w(5mg/d in first week),and 0.25g/d(0.125/d in first week)respectively. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. The effect indexs were evaluated in fourth and twelfth weeks in both groups. Results One patient in LEF group suffered systemic hypersensitive skinrash on day 3 after treatment,and then treatment was stopped.Two patients in combined group got severe nausea and oral stranger smell on day 5 after treatment ,and mean improvement rate in twelfth week was over 70%,and rate of totally stopping NSAIDs was not significantly different .(46.15% vs 41.67%, P0.05).Mean effectiveness time was slightly earlier(4.39±2.99 vs 6.54±2.31, P0.05) in LEF group and the rate of over 3 side-effects in LEF group was lower (3.70%,vs 21.05%,P0.05)compareal with combined group. The side-effects in LEF group included tire(3/27),reversable slight elevation of transaminase(3/27)and aleukemia (2/27).The side-effects in combined group were bad appetite(9/38), allotriogeustia(9/38), nause(8/38) ,elevation of transaminase (6/38)and thrombocytopenia(5/38). Conclusion LEF presented satisfactory effect similar to combined treatment of D-penicillamin and MTX, and revealed quick effects.