The efficacy and safety of the oral gold compound auranofin and intramuscular gold thiomalate have been compared in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, four-centre trial in 82 patients with psoriatic arthritis requiring remittive drug therapy. There were statistically significant falls in Ritchie articular index, visual analogue pain score and ESR at 12 and 24 weeks following i.m. gold but no significant changes in the auranofin group. Intramuscular gold was safe and more effective than auranofin as a second-line, suppressive antirheumatic agent for patients with psoriatic arthritis when followed for 6 months.