Lack of effect of doxycycline on disease activity and joint damage in patients with RA

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J Rheumatol 2001 Sep;28(9):1967-1974

Lack of effect of doxycycline on disease activity and joint damage in

patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A double blind, placebo controlled

trial.

van der Laan W, Molenaar E, Ronday K, Verheijen J, Breedveld F, Greenwald R,

Dijkmans B, TeKoppele J.

Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The

Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of doxycycline on disease activity and

joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A 36

week double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial was conducted.

Patients (n = 66) received 50 mg doxycycline or placebo twice a day during

12, 24, or 36 weeks. Patient assessments were performed before the treatment

was administered, at 6, 12, 24 and 36 weeks of treatment, and finally at 4

weeks after cessation of treatment. Patient assessments, swollen and tender

joint counts, duration of morning stiffness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate,

and Modified Disease Activity Score were used as measures of disease

activity. Effects on joint destruction were assessed by urinary excretion of

the pyridinolines hydroxylysylpyridinoline and lysylpyridinoline and by

scoring radiographic damage of hands and feet before and after treatment.

RESULTS: The changes of clinical or laboratory disease activity measures,

pyridinoline excretion, or progression of radiographic joint damage during

doxycycline or placebo treatment did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION:

The results indicate that 50 mg doxycycline twice a day provided no

therapeutic benefit for patients with RA.