| Leflunomide in Pakistani patients with rheumatoid arthritis: prospective study in daily rheumatology practice. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21303481 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Introduction: Leflunomide is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been widely studied in the West but there is no available local Pakistani data. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of leflunomide in Pakistani patients with RA, either alone or in combination with methotrexate. Materials and methods: A prospective, non-comparator, open-label study in a setting of 'care as usual' was performed. In this study, 63 consecutive RA patients on leflunomide were enrolled. Leflunomide dose was started with full loading in 5 (8%), half loading in 39 (62%) and without loading in 19 (30%) patients. Methotrexate was also used in 20 (32%) patients. Primary end-point was 20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR-20). Safety was assessed by adverse events and abnormalities in laboratory parameters. Results: Out of 63 patients, 54 (85.7%) were female. Mean age was 46 ± 12.6 years. Mean disease duration was 5.1 ± 4.5 years. Fifty-two (86.6%) patients achieved ACR-20 response at 6 months; 32 (53%) achieved ACR-50 response at 6 months; 20% experienced at least one adverse event, which resolved by reducing leflunomide dose. Only seven (11%) had raised liver enzymes from baseline. Conclusion: This prospective study conducted in the setting of a daily rheumatology practice shows that leflunomide is an effective and safe DMARD in treatment of RA in Pakistani patients. |
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Authors:
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Nighat M Ahmad; Sumaira Farman; Muhammad A Saeed; Rafaqat Hameed; Muhammad Umair; Erum Ghafoor |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: International journal of rheumatic diseases Volume: 14 ISSN: 1756-185X ISO Abbreviation: Int J Rheum Dis Publication Date: 2011 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-02-09 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101474930 Medline TA: Int J Rheum Dis Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 48-54 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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© 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. © 2011 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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Division of Rheumatology, Fatima Memorial Hospital College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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