Lymphocytapheresis--a feasible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
A short three-treatment out-patient course of lymphocytapheresis (LA) was compared with a standard six-treatment regimen in a group of rheumatoid arthritis patients pre-selected for poor cell-mediated immunity, which has been shown to be associated with a good response to LA. Significant clinical improvements were seen with both treatments. There did not appear to be any clear difference between three and six treatments. A short course of LA may represent a possible treatment for selected rheumatoid arthritis patients.
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged