title: A comparison of platelet count and acute phase proteins in the measurement of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Platelet count (PC) was compared with standard acute phase reactants (ESR, plasma viscosity and C-reactive protein) and clinical measurements to assess its usefulness as a measure of disease activity in 165 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Although PC was elevated (greater than 400 X 10(9) 1(-1) in 45% of patients and was seen to fall under the influence of second-line drugs, it was considered to be unsuitable as an indication of disease activity since levels fall for reasons other than disease improvement.
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012898:Autacoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D012898:Autacoids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein