en Rheumatology Rheumatology Original Research Original Research To confirm the side-effects of gold sodium thiomalate (GSTM), we carried out a retrospective study examining 102 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending the Rheumatology Unit of Hafez Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, in whom GSTM was initiated between 1983-1989. Only patients with classical or definite RA (ARA criteria) we(e included in this study. Patients were categorized as having developed toxicity to gold if rash, stomatitis, leukopenia «4000/mm3), thrombocytopenia «IOO,000/mm3), anemia (Hb<10gm/dL), microscopic hematuria (more than 5 RBC in each HPF) and proteinuria (1 +or more) appeared during chrysotherapy. Sixty-six (64.7%) patients developed adverse reactions. More significant side-effects were pruritus (57.8%), eosinophilia (23.5%), microscopic hematuria (20.5%), and low Hb (20.5%). Inadequate primary response and relapses on therapy accounted for termination in 15.6% of patients, nephrotic syndrome in 0.9%, hepatitis in 1.9%, colitis in 2.9%, persistent pruritus in 1.9%, extensive lichenoid rash in 3.9%, persistent stomal ulcer in 0.9% and persistent hematuria in 1.9% of patients. Lichenoid rash was more significant and more extensive in our series compared to others. Gold therapy; eosinophilia; gold sodium thiomalale; rheumatoid arthritis; adverse. 189 192 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-298-518&slc_lang=en&sid=1 A RAJAEE 20031947532846005853 20031947532846005853 Yes From the Deparment of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Hafez Hospital, Shiraz University Of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, I.R. Iran.