Dapsone In Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Samy El-said Mohamed Ahmed Egaila

The use of dapsone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis ,is still debatable. The aimed of this study is toevaluate the role of dapsone in the disease.- 43 patients having rheUmatofd arthritis were selectedfrom the outpatient clinic Benha Univer-ity Hospitals. They were 37 females and 6 males with age ranging from C32 to 60) years old Cmean 46.13 + 7.55 years). The selected cases fullfilled the criteria for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis according to the American Rheumatism Association C1958) andits modification by Ropes et.al, (1959)- Gold, penicillamine or other suppressive agents were notadministered for at least 3 months before the start of the trial patients on corticosteroids were admitted. The dose of corticosteroids or any orally administered anti-inflammatory analgeSic drugs had to be constant during the last monthbefore entry into the trial.- All-patients were subjected to:* Full history taking with special attension to theduration of morning stiffness.* Thorough clinical examination with special stress.