RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Azathioprine in giant cell arteritis/polymyalgia rheumatica: a double-blind study.
JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
JO Ann Rheum Dis
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism
SP 136
OP 138
DO 10.1136/ard.45.2.136
VO 45
IS 2
A1 M De Silva
A1 B L Hazleman
YR 1986
UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/45/2/136.abstract
AB The ability of azathioprine to reduce the maintenance prednisolone requirement of 31 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) or giant cell arteritis (GCA), or both, was tested in a double-blind placebo controlled study over one year. Clinical and laboratory assessments were made at four-weekly intervals over a period of 52 weeks. A statistically significant difference (p less than 0.05) in mean prednisolone dose was noted between the two groups at the end of 52 weeks, there being a fall in steroid requirement in the azathioprine treated group.