Double-blind trial of recombinant gamma-interferon versus placebo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis Rheum. 1989 Aug;32(8):964-73. doi: 10.1002/anr.1780320805.

Abstract

One hundred five patients were enrolled in a 12-week, randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant human gamma-interferon (rHu gamma-IFN) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty-four patients received rHu gamma-IFN and 51 received placebo. Forty-two patients in each group completed the 12-week trial. Some clinical improvement occurred in both groups of patients. Although the improvement with rHu gamma-IFN was greater than that with placebo, the differences were generally not statistically significant.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Tolerance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / adverse effects
  • Interferon-gamma / therapeutic use*
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Placebos
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma