title: beta 2 microglobulin plasma levels reflect disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Elevated plasma levels of beta 2 microglobulin have been described in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but their relationship to disease activity is unclear. In patients treated for 6 months with auranofin (AF) there was a significant fall (p less than 0.05) in beta 2M levels pari passu with improvement in disease activity as measured by a fall in C-reactive protein. In addition, 26 patients with mild RA had beta 2M levels within the normal range. It is concluded that beta 2M plasma levels reflect disease activity in RA.
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001310:Auranofin; D006051:Aurothioglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate; D006051:Aurothioglucose; D001310:Auranofin