Interferon-gamma in the treatment of systemic sclerosis: a randomized controlled multicentre trial

We report the results of a randomized controlled multicentre study on interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) treatment of systemic sclerosis as determined by skin sclerosis, renal and other organ involvement, global assessment, subjective symptoms and quality of life. Forty‐four patients were enrolled into the trial, 27 in the treatment group and 17 in the control group. All patients presented with type I or type II scleroderma. Twenty‐nine patients (64%) finished the study. The mean duration of Raynaud's phenomenon and skin sclerosis was 15.3 and 10.8 years, respectively. The skin scores tended to improve in the treatment group (P > 0.05). Mouth aperture increased significantly from 38.5 to 47.7 mm in the treatment group (P