The Effect of Leflunomide on Cold and Vibratory Sensation in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
;
: 207-212, 2012.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-72478
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with leflunomide (LEF) by quantitative sensory testing (QST).METHOD:
A total of 94 patients were enrolledin this study, out of which 47 patients received LEF. The other 47 patients received alternative disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and served as the control group. The demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, concomitant diseases, and medication history were evaluated at the time of QST. The cooling (CDT) and vibratory detection threshold (VDT) as the representative components of QST were measured.RESULTS:
Age, gender, RA duration, ESR, and CRP did not show any significant differences between the two groups. VDT did not demonstrate any significant difference in both groups. However, CDT in LEF group was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.6+/-2.7 in LEF vs. 5.6+/-3.8 in control). The proportion of RA patients in the LEF group showing abnormally high CDT was over 2 times greater than that of the control group, but these findings were not statistically significant. Age, RA duration (or LEF medication in LEF group), ESR, and CRP did not show significant correlation with CDT in both groups. VDT significantly correlated with age in both groups.CONCLUSION:
LEF treatment in patients with RA may lead to abnormal CDT in QST. CDT value was not affected by age, RA duration, disease activity, or LEF duration. It remains to be determined whether QST may be a valuable non-invasive instrument to evaluate the early sensory changes in patients with RA taking LEF.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Polyneuropathies
/
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
/
Sensation
/
Prevalence
/
Risk Factors
/
Cold Temperature
/
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
/
Antirheumatic Agents
/
Isoxazoles
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
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