Clinical effectiveness of mizoribine on rheumatoid arthritis

—A double-blind comparative study using lobenzarit disodiurn as a standard drug—

Abstract

In order to confirm efficacy, safety and utility of mizoribine (MZR) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, we conducted a 24 weeks double-blind controlled study using lobenzarit disodium (CCA) as a control drug and obtained the following results.
(1) The study involved 72 cases for MZR group and 77 cases for CCA group. There were no significant differences in patients' backgrounds between the two groups.
(2) Final global improvement rate was evaluated as “improvement” or more in 26.8% (15/56) for MZR group vs. 12.3% (8/65) for CCA group, “slight improvement” or more in 55.4% (31/56) for MZR group VS. 36.9% (24/65) for CCA group. There was no significance for any of these differences.
(3) The incidence of side effects of MZR group was 31.9% and that of CCA group was 48.7%. No serious side effect was observed in both groups.
(4) Radiographic films of 41 patients participating in this study were evaluated in a random order by two readers. Only in the CCA group (21 patients) was a statistically significant increase in the mean value of erosion score as well as damage score. These results show that MZR do retarded radiographic progression of joint destruction in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
(5) The utility of MZR group was superior to CCA group. These results indicate that mizoribine is a useful drug for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.