Efficacy of total lymphoid irradiation in intractable rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, randomized trial
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), Vol. 102:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Treatment of intractable rheumatoid arthritis with total lymphoid irradiation
Treatment of intractable rheumatoid arthritis with total lymphoid irradiation
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IMMUNE REACTIONS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
EXTERNAL IRRADIATION
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
RHEUMATIC DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
LYMPHOCYTES
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISEASES
DOSES
IRRADIATION
LEUKOCYTES
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
SKELETAL DISEASES
SOMATIC CELLS
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man