Comparison between Sodium Aurothiomalate and Auranofin in Rheumatoid Arthritis:Results of a Two-year Open Randomized Study

We compared the effectiveness of Auranofin, and sodium aurothiomalate (SATM) given for 2 years to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This was an open trial with randomized entry to 2 treatment groups of 60 patients each. Only 40% of patients completed 2 years of treatment but these showed significant improvement in their indices of disease activity. Adverse reactions were a more common reason for withdrawal from SATM than from Auranofin, while insufficient therapeutic response was more common with Auranofin. This study also shows that inefficacy, toxicity, complicating illnesses, and lack of compliance limit the beneficial outcome of long-term chrysotherapy.