Gold therapy lowers serum interleukin 6 levels in rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical utility and the effect of sodium aurothiomalate (GSTM) on serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Open prospective study of 50 patients with RA treated with GSTM. Serum IL-6 measured by bioassay.


RESULTS
IL-6 showed correlations with Ritchie articular index, duration of morning stiffness and C-reactive protein. GSTM significantly reduced IL-6 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-6 is a potentially useful additional indicator of disease activity in RA and is modulated by GSTM.
Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
R
R
Madhok
A
A
Crilly
E
E
Murphy
J
J
Smith
J
J
Watson
H A
HA
Capell
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001681:Biological Assay; D005260:Female; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values
D015850:Interleukin-6; D006052:Gold Sodium Thiomalate