Abstract
Mizoribine (MZR) was administered at a dose of 150 mg once daily to 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associated with dry mouth who had not responded well to diseasemodifying anti-rheumatic drugs or methotrexate. We evaluated the usefulness of MZR for treatment of RA, its effect on dry mouth, and the association between these effects and the blood MZR concentration. Significant differences in the tender joint count and swollen joint count were noted at 1 and 3 months, and 3 months after MZR treatment, respectively. There were no significant differences in VAS and CRP between before and after the treatment. Significant differences in DAS28-CRP were noted at 3 months after the treatment. According to the EULAR criteria, the clinical response was good in 3 patients and moderate in 5 patients, with 8 of 18 patients (44.4%) showing a moderate or greater response at 3 months after treatment. The Saxon test showed a significant improvement in saliva production after 3 months. There was no association between blood MZR concentration and RA response or the improvement in saliva production. The results suggest once-daily administration of MZR at a dose of 150 mg to be a potential method of treating RA associated with dry mouth.
