XXXX rheumatica. Duration of therapy and long-term outcome.

@entity1 @entity229 @entity3468 @entity134 @entity2760 @entity288
The duration of therapy and outcome were examined in 76 @entity1 with @entity2760 rheumatica without evidence of temporal @entity3468 at presentation. Seventy-five @entity1 received @entity288 , with a mean @entity229 dosage of 22.8 mg per day initially. Duration of therapy was assessed using life-table methods. No significant difference could be ascertained between groups segregated on the basis of age, sex, or initial @entity134 dosage. The median duration of therapy was 37.3 months. It was estimated that 40 percent of @entity1 will require therapy longer than four years. @entity288 were permanently discontinued in 31 @entity1 after a mean of 23.7 months of therapy. The data support the concept of two @entity1 populations--one with limited disease and another requiring long-term therapy. Relapses were frequent, occurring in 56 percent of @entity1 . Evolution of @entity3468 during the course of therapy was infrequent, occurring in only one @entity1 . @entity134 -related adverse effects occurred in 22.7 percent of @entity1 and were more common in females. The data suggest that, although @entity288 may be discontinued in some @entity1 with @entity2760 rheumatica, prolonged therapy is required in a significant number.
