To determine whether cyclosporin A (CyA) is a useful option in the treatment of adult onset Still's disease (ASD).
Low dose CyA was given to 6 patients with chronic or relapsing ASD who had not been prescribed any other second line agents during the previous 6 mo.
The disease completely remitted in 4 patients and improved markedly in the remaining 2. The corticosteroid requirement was substantially reduced in all cases. Tolerability was rated good or very good by all patients but one, who reported good tolerance to CyA only in a new formulation.
CyA may be included among the second line agents used in the treatment of refractory ASD.