EFFECT OF DEXAMETHASONE AND NITROGEN MUSTARD ON THE PRODUCTION OF RHEUMATOID FACTOR IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

The effect of dexamethasone and nitrogen mustard on the production of rheumatoid factor, as measured by sensitized sheep cell and latex agglutination tests, was studied in 19 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis. Dexamethasone was given orally in a daily dose of 6-8 mg. which was slowly reduced after a two-week period. Nitrogen mustard was infused in the usual therapeutic dose of 0.3 mg./kg. The level of circulating rheumatoid factor decreased, following administration of each agent, after a latent period of 10 days. The effect was most marked at around 30 days. Dexamethasone was more potent than nitrogen mustard. Both drugs together caused transient disappearance of rheumatoid factor in one patient.It is concluded that dexamethasone and nitrogen mustard have the capacity to suppress the formation of the macroglobulins associated with rheumatoid arthritis.