Trace elements and acute phase reactants in gold treated rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Abnormal concentrations of trace elements, sulfhydryl groups, amino-acids and serum proteins were found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis similar to other chronic inflammatory conditions. These changes have been called the phase reaction. In this study, a systematic profile of the phase reactants was established in rheumatoid arthritis at the onset and during its modulation by chrysotherapy (gold sodium thiomalate 25 mg i.m. weekly). It was shown that this treatment, if successful, is capable of reverting to normal measures of the phase reaction. It was also found that the pattern of the profile varied in individuhe eventual beneficial or toxic effects. In these preliminary studies, no parameters or group of parameters of the phase reaction were predictive of the therapeutic outcome. Extended observations (over 6 months) and more individual profiles are being analyzed to gain insight into these features of inflammation and their modulation by chrysotherapy.