Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androsterone sulphate levels and their interaction with plasma proteins in rheumatoid arthritis.

Female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Steinbrocker's II and III rating scale have been examined. They were without steroid treatment at least six months before observation. Plasma protein picture showed hypoalbuminaemia and hyperglobulinaemia. There was no difference relative to controls either in the total (free + protein bound) plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (D) level, or in its distribution with plasma proteins. In the age group of 18 to 45 years, a statistically significant decrease have been observed in the total plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DS) level without any change in its distribution in protein binding. Furthermore, low androsterone sulphate (AS) levels were found irrespective of the age of patients. The results gave further information on the pathomechanism resulting in an abnormal androgen hormone pattern of blood and a low metabolite excretion, observed previously in patients with RA:.