We treated 73 patients who met the new diagnostic criteria for RA with Bucillamine, Auranofin and gold sodium thiomalate (GST) for more than 12 consecutive weeks to explore therapeutic effects of these drugs. The results indicate that Bucillamine proved to be effective in 67.7% of patients while Auranofin and GST were effective in 65.5% and 90%, respectively, of patients. Improvement rates of Lansbury index achieved were 29.3% with Bucillamine, 21.4% with Auranofin and 50.1% with GST. Remission by the ARA criteria was attained in 14.3% of Bucillamine-treated patients, in 17.4% of Auranofin-treated patients and in 20.0% of GST-treated patients. Side effects necessitating discontinuation of treatment occurred in 11.8% and 20.6% respectively, of Bucillamine-and Auranofin-treated patients. An effective response to any these three drugs was elicited more frequently in early RA cases. The results led us to conclude that GST needs to be revalued as the drug of second choice for RA next to NSAIDS.
