[A method for the permanent maintainance aurotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis patients under the control of gold excretion].

Unlabelled: A study is presented of 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The authors propose a method of persistently maintained aurotherapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis directed to prevention of recurrences and toxic effect of gold due to chrysanol treatment, the active substance of which is metallic gold. After course treatment with chrysanol (850-1020 mg) persistent treatment by maintained doses is instituted.

[The effect of aurotherapy on the content of corticotropin, cortisol, aldosterone and insulin in the blood serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients].

The author studied the content of corticotropin, cortisol, aldosterone, insulin in the blood serum of 69 patients with rheumatoid arthritis depending on the grade of activity of the inflammatory process before treatment in the course of aurotherapy within 12 months. It was established that in patients with rheumatoid arthritis changes develop in the system of pituitary-peripheral endocrine glands, namely, an increase of the concentration of corticotropin, aldosterone and a reduction of the level of cortisol and insulin indicating the participation of hormones in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Non-steroid antiinflammatory preparations and quinolinic derivatives did not effect the hormonal spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis.

[The prevention of chrysotherapy complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

To prevent side-effects of chrysotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis the authors recommend a treatment scheme under corticosteroid protection. The proposed method was used in 56 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Side-effects manifested in allergic eruptions were noted in 3 patients (5.