Study: Leflunomide May Help in Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Leflunomide (Arava), a new drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, may also be useful in the treatment of resistant cases of psoriatic arthritis, according to researchers at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

Researchers followed 12 patients with psoriatic arthritis who had not responded to at least one disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). All of the participants were given leflunomide alone or in combination with another DMARD.

After 2 to 3 months of treatment, 8 of the 12 patients had moderate to marked improvement in both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, the researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.

Patients reported statistically significant improvement in joint tenderness, grip strength and global assessment.

Three participants in the study changed to a lower dosage of leflunomide due to toxicity but still received clinical benefit from receiving the lesser amount of the drug.

"Leflunomide may prove to be a useful agent for the treatment of recalcitrant cases of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," concluded the researchers.

Other sources: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology