[Immunosuppressive treatment of progressive chronic polyarthritis]

After description of forms and possibilities of the immunsuppression the results of this therapy are discussed in 47 own patients with clinically and paraclinically ascertained rheumatoid arthritis. The patients received the sum of 4.0 mg trenimon in combination with altogether 4.0 mg cyclophosphamide by means of 20 infusions with physiological saline solution as carrier substance. Under this treatment in 93.6% of the cases the findings of the examination of joints or the clinical stage improved. As to side effects incompatibilities on the side of the gastro-intestinal tract as well as leucopenias were observed. 18 patients could be after-examined after 6 years. Whilst in every case the clinical stage deteriorated, in the majority the degree of activity remained unchanged. All the results are compared with the results reported in literature. The authors are of the opinion that, when other forms of treatment have no success and contraindication are strongly taken into consideration, the progressing of the rheumatoid arthritis can be retarded by means of immunsuppressives. The pathophysiological processes can, however, scarcely be influenced causally.