Auranofin: A New Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Excerpt

To the editor: Dr. Abruzzo's (1) editorial on auranofin oral gold is most interesting. The implication that nonrheumatologists regularly treat, rather than refer, patients with "painful and disabling synovitis" (undiagnosed) unresponsive to acetylsalicylic acid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is, I hope, generally false. However, if such physicians are indeed not referring these patients to a rheumatologist, Dr. Abruzzo should take a clear and unequivocal stand against this practice.

Furthermore, the notion that patients with synovitis can be relegated to an amorphous group with "early disease" is inherently objectionable. These people are seriously ill and should have the benefit of complete