title: Plasma exchange for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disease. Even though, physiopathology of rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, the presence of circulating immune complexes and rheumatoid factors had led to the use of plasma exchange (PE). Even though PE procedures have evolved over the last decades, their indications and use in RA must be replaced in the context of the evolution of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Results of PE and leukapheresis were disappointing in patients with severe and resistant RA. Conversely, immunoadsorption, and particularly over a Staphylococcus aureus protein A column, has resulted in some good responses in refractory RA patients. But, the emergence of effective biologics has clearly restrained their use and limited their indications to some rare patients with refractory and severe RA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, 27, rue du fauborg Saint-Jacques, Université René-Descartes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75679 Paris cedex 14, France.
authors.forename: Raphaèle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seror
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagnoux
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guillevin
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007937:Leukapheresis; D010951:Plasma Exchange