Combination therapy with cyclosporine and methotrexate in severe rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

A combination of cyclosporine and methotrexate may be effective in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis who do not fully respond to methotrexate alone. 148 rheumatoid arthritis patients who had partially responded to a maximal dose of methotrexate received either a placebo or cyclosporine in addition to their methotrexate. Cyclosporine was administered at a dose of 2.5 to 5 milligrams/kilogram of body weight/day. After 6 months of treatment, the patients receiving cyclosporine experienced an average decrease in the number of tender joints and swollen joints by 25%. Their joint pain was also improved by 23%. Nine patients in the cyclosporine group and five in the placebo group withdrew from the study because of side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Both drugs are known to have negative effects on kidney function, however kidney disorders were not observed in the patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis

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Effect of the timing of treatment of port-wine stains with the flash-lamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser

Article Abstract:

Laser treatment of port-wine stains does not appear to be more effective when conducted in childhood, rather than later in life. Port-wine stains are blood vessel-rich birthmarks, which can be troubling when they occur on the face. Researchers used a flash-lamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser to lighten port-wine stains in 89 patients of ages ranging from infancy to 31 years old. An average of five treatments lightened the birthmarks an average of 40%. Treatment begun at earlier ages was not associated with improved outcome.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Birthmarks, Lasers in medicine, Medical lasers, Port-wine stain

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Methotrexate versus cyclosporine in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis

Article Abstract:

Methotrexate and cyclosporine appear to be equally effective for treating moderate to severe psoriasis, according to a study of 85 patients. The patients were treated for 16 weeks and followed for up to one year. Twelve patients had to stop taking methotrexate because of side effects, compared to only one patient who had to stop taking cyclosporine.

Psoriasis

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