Efficacy of total lymphoid irradiation in intractable rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, randomized trial

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-102-4-441· OSTI ID:5555710

Strober, S; Tanay, A; Field, E; Hoppe, R T; Calin, A; Engleman, E G; Kotzin, B; Brown, B W; Kaplan, H S

Twenty-six patients participated in a randomized, double-blind study of the efficacy of total lymphoid irradiation in the treatment of intractable rheumatoid arthritis. All 26 patients, for whom therapy with gold compounds and penicillamine had failed, would ordinarily have been considered candidates for cytotoxic or antimetabolite drug therapy. Thirteen patients randomly assigned to receive full-dose total lymphoid irradiation (2000 rad) and 11 patients assigned to receive control low-dose total lymphoid irradiation (200 rad) completed radiotherapy. Alleviation of joint disease activity was significantly greater in the high-dose group as judged by morning stiffness, joint tenderness, and functional assessment (global composite score) at 3 and 6 months after radiotherapy. The high-dose group had a marked reduction in both T-lymphocyte function and numbers, but this finding was not observed in the low-dose group. Complications seen in the high-dose but not low-dose group included transient neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, pericarditis, and pleurisy.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ. Medical Center, CA
• OSTI ID: 5555710
• Journal Information: Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Intern. Med.; (United States) Vol. 102:4; ISSN AIMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
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IRRADIATION
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MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
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