Genetic predictors of patient response and side effects in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a high dose nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug regimen

Abstract

Clinical, laboratory, genetic, and radiologic studies were evaluated for 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated for a mean of 16.6 months with a regimen involving supplementary aspirin and piroxicam, an investigational, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent. Although improvement in disease activity was seen, progression was evident on successive radiographs. Disease activity was not associated with the presence of any of the genetic markers. Peptic ulcers developed in 33% of patients, all of whom had type O blood. ABO blood typing may therefore be useful in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before consideration of therapy with potentially ulcerogenic drugs.