Drug Reduces Crippling Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Finds
From Times staff and wire reports
A new drug that breaks the cycle of inflammation is showing promise against the crippling effects of rheumatoid arthritis. Results of a study with the medicine, which blocks a natural substance known as tumor necrosis factor, are being published in today’s New England Journal of Medicine.
More than 2 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints. In a three-month study of 180 patients, those receiving the highest dose had a 61% reduction in the number of swollen or sore joints, compared with 25% of those getting shots without the medication. Symptoms returned when the therapy ended.
