[Use of pulsed steroid therapy in active rheumatoid arthritis].

The authors implemented a prospective double blind, controlled study where they administered to a group of 34 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis either three pulses a 1000 mg methyl prednisolone in a small infusion or an infusion with placebo. They proved a very favourable effect--after five days a marked diminution of morning stiffness was recorded, as well as a diminution of pain during locomotion and rest and general improvement of the patient's condition. After two weeks the effect declines but even after 8 weeks the difference, as compared with the initial value, was still significant, while this was not the case after placebo.

[Initial experience with the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by dietary manipulation].

The purpose was to assemble experience with the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with fish oil and to compare the results with reports from abroad. The investigated group comprised 10 women who suffered from confirmed RA. The patients were treated by nonsteroid antirheumatic drugs.