Serum sulphydryl levels in early synovitis.
The determination of serum sulphydryl levels has been assessed as a diagnostic/prognostic indicator of rheumatoid arthritis in patients attending an early synovitis clinic. This simple assay has been compared with other test systems including C-reactive protein, plasma viscosity, IgM rheumatoid factor and immune complexes. Results show that a low serum sulphydryl at presentation is a useful prognostic indicator for development of persistent synovitis. Patients with normal sulphydryl levels suffered only mild or transient symptoms. These results suggest that, since stimulated phagocytes generate the oxygen-derived species responsible for sulphydryl oxidation, such cells are active before the patient develops persistent symptoms.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds