Meta-analysis of second-line antirheumatic drugs: sample size bias and uncertain benefit.
Gøtzsche P C, Pødenphant J, Olesen M, +1 more·Journal of clinical epidemiology
Placebo controlled trials of methotrexate, auranofin, penicillamine, azathioprine, sulphasalazine, gold sodium thiomalate and chloroquines were subjected to meta-analysis. The difference between drugs and placebo in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 8.8 mm/hr [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.4-11.3]. In multiple l…