Methotrexate and Cyclosporine in Treatment of Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inclusion Criteria: * Synovitis in at least 2 joints. * Compliance with the ACR criteria for RA. * Duration of no more than 6 months (from the first anamnestic non-traumatic synovitis of at least 6 weeks' duration). * Informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Age less than 18 years or more than 75 years * Lack of co-operability. * Previous treatment with DMARD * Corticosteroid treatment during the preceding 4 weeks. * Contra indications for the treatments (awaiting the recommendations from Novartis) * Previous or present malignant or premalignant disease * Poorly regulated hypertension * Impaired renal function * Immuno defective diseases, including HIV * Cardiac or pulmonary insufficiency * Serious arteriosclerosis * Serious granulocytopenia or thrombocytopenia * Impaired liver function (liver enzymes more than twice the highest normal limit). * Alcohol consumption of more than 3 drinks a week. * Poorly controlled epilepsy * Lack of contraception in fertile patients * Pregnancy and lactation * Psoriasis * Poorly regulated diabetes * Anticoagulant treatment * Known allergy to the medicine * Medicamental interactions * Other inflammatory rheumatic diseases