Tumor necrosis factor alpha is associated with disease activity and the degree of anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) in determining anemia of chronic disease (ACD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 24 patients were studied for disease parameters, TNF serum levels and bone marrow for erythroid colony growth and compared with six controls. Serum TNF alpha was highest in ACD and correlated well with RA disease parameters. Both TNF and other RA disease parameters correlated inversely with degree of anemia.

CV 205-502, a new dopamine agonist, versus bromocriptine in the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia.

Forty-seven hyperprolactinaemic patients with serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations persistently above 1500 mU/l were treated with the new dopamine agonist CV 205-502 or bromocriptine in a prospective, randomized and double-blind fashion during a 24-week period. Two women had to be excluded because of poor compliance in the first month. Therefore 45 patients remained for evaluation.