Colloidal gold sulphide in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis: Report of 320 cases

Colloidal gold preparations are less used than other gold compounds in R.A. therapy because of their doubtful efficacy. We have studied the effects of intravenously administered colloidal gold sulphide 2% on 320 patients affected with classical and definite R.A. The initial doses were 17 mg, 51 mg and 87 mg at three to five day intervals, followed by 87 mg once a week until a total dose of 1000 mg was reached. If gold proved effective the dose frequency was gradually reduced to once in four weeks. We stopped chrysotherapy only if still ineffective after 6 months or if side-effects had appeared. Our clinical experience is in agreement with the results obtained in more recent controlled trials. We observed a more frequent therapeutic effect (69%) in the early stages of disease (12 months or less) and a definite reduction in titres of rheumatoid factor.