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Thalidomide effective in juvenile arthritis
20 Dec 2004

Thalidomide is an effective treatment for severe systemic onset juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis (SoJRA), according to a new study.

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics included 13 patients who had
failed conventional therapy and were given an initial dose of 2 mg/kg per day
of thalidomide.

The dose was increased to 3 to 5 mg/kg per day in seven patients. The patients
were followed for 6 months.

Of the 13 patients, 11 had a sustained response to the drug with adequate
disease control.

Improvement was observed within 4 weeks in most patients. The mean prednisone
dosage decreased for the patients from 14.8 mg/d to 5.1 mg/d over the 6-month
period. Six patients were able to discontinue prednisone.

A mean decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate from 54 to 23 mm/h was seen
and seven of the children had a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate after 6
months.

Only minor side effects were reported. Neurotoxicity was not evident. Numbness
and tingling were common at the start of treatment, but all patients were able
to continue on treatment at the same or a decreased dosage…………..
CONTINUES…………www.nursingtimes.net


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