Clinical responses following administration of leflunomide, a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA, were statistically superior to those with placebo and equivalent to those with methotrexate treatment. Both active treatments improved signs and symptoms of active RA, delayed disease progression as demonstrated by x-ray films, and improved function and health-related quality of life.

Purpose To examine the degree to which shared risk factors explain the relationship of periodontitis (PD) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to examine associations of PD and Porphyomonas gingivalis (Pg) with disease features. Methods RA cases (N=287) and controls (N=330) underwent a standardized periodontal examination. HLA-DRB1 status was imputed using SNPs from the extended MHC. Circulating anti-Pg antibody was measured using ELISA and subgingival plaque was assessed for the presence of Pg using PCR. Associations of PD with RA were examined using multivariable regression. Results PD was more common in RA (35%, p = 0.022) and aCCP positive RA (n=240; 37%; p = 0.006) vs. controls (26%). There were no RA-control differences in anti-Pg or the frequency of Pg positivity by PCR. Anti-Pg antibody showed weak but statistically significant associations with both anti-CCP (r=0.14, p=0.022) and RF (r=0.19, p=0.001). PD was associated with increased swollen joint counts (p=0.004), DAS-28-CRP (p=0.045), total Sharp scores (p=0.015), aCCP (p=0.011), and RF (p<0.001). Select anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA; including antibody to citrullinated filaggrin) were higher in patients with subgingival Pg and higher anti-Pg antibody levels irrespective of smoking. Associations of PD with established seropositive RA were independent of all covariates examined including evidence of Pg infection. Conclusions Both PD and Pg appear to shape RA-related autoreactivity in RA. In addition, PD demonstrates an independent relationship with established seropositive RA.

Objective. To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received monotherapy with either etanercept or methotrexate (MTX) for 2 years and to assess the safety of this therapy.Methods. In the Enbrel ERA (early rheumatoid arthritis) trial, 632 patients with early, active RA were randomized to receive either twice-weekly subcutaneous etanercept (10 mg or 25 mg) or weekly oral MTX (mean dosage 19 mg per week) for at least 1 year in a double-blind manner. Following the blinded phase of the trial, 512 patients continued to receive the therapy to which they had been randomized for up to 1 additional year, in an open-label manner. Radiograph readers remained blinded to treatment group assignment and the chronologic order of images.Results. At 24 months, more 25-mg etanercept patients than MTX patients met American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (72% and 59%, respectively; P ‫؍‬ 0.005), and more had no increase in total score and erosion scores on the Sharp scale (P ‫؍‬ 0.017 and P ‫؍‬ 0.012, respectively). The mean changes in total Sharp score and erosion score in the 25-mg etanercept group (1.3 and 0.66 units, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the MTX group (3.2 and 1.86 units, respectively; P ‫؍‬ 0.001). Significantly more patients in the 25-mg etanercept group (55%) than in the MTX group (37%) had at least 0.5 units of improvement in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (P < 0.001). Fewer patients in the etanercept group than in the MTX group experienced adverse events or discontinued treatment because of adverse events.Conclusion. Etanercept as monotherapy was safe and was superior to MTX in reducing disease activity, arresting structural damage, and decreasing disability over 2 years in patients with early, aggressive RA.

Objective. To determine whether sulfasalazine (SSZ) at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is effective for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) resistant to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy.Methods. Two hundred twenty-one patients with PsA were recruited from 15 clinics, randomized (doubleblind) to SSZ or placebo treatment, and followed up for 36 weeks. Treatment response was based on joint p a i d Address reprint request requests to Daniel 0. Clegg, MD, Division of Rheumatology, 4B200-SOM, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132.Submitted for publication March 19,1996; accepted in revised form July 19, 1996. tenderness and swelling scores and physician and patient global assessments.Resubs. Longitudinal analysis revealed a trend favoring SSZ treatment (P = 0.13). At the end of treatment, response rates were 57.8% for SSZ compared with 44.6% for placebo (P = 0.05). The Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate declined more in the PsA patients taking SSZ than in those taking placebo (P < 0.0001). Adverse reactions were fewer than expected and were mainly due to nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints, including dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.Conclusion. SSZ at a dosage of 2,000 mg/day is well tolerated and may be more effective than placebo in the treatment of patients with PsA.

Objective. To describe the clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and histopathologic features of methotrexate (MTX)-induced lung injury in a combined cohort of selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and all cases reported in the English-language literature.Methods. Retrospective combined cohort review and abstraction from the medical literature. Case reports were obtained from 6 centers that had 4 or more cases of potential MTX lung injury per site. RA patients who were seen between 1981 and 1993 and who satisfied predetermined criteria for the presence of MTX lung injury were identified.Results. Twenty-seven patients satisfied the criteria for definite MTX lung injury, and 2 for probable MTX lung injury. Predominant clinical features of MTX lung injury included shortness of breath in 27 patients (93.1%), which was present for 23.5 f 22.3 days