[An attempt to precise indications for treatment with systemic cryotherapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

The prospective studies included 178 patients (43 men and 135 women) aged 30 to 68 years, treated because of rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). All of them were subjected to systemic cryotherapy, considerin the total antioxidant states in the serum registered before and after the cryotherapic treatment. Fluctuations of serum antioxidants were referred to selected clinical factors such as: sex, age, duration and progression of the disease. It was confirmed that among patients with R.A., the most beneficial clinical effects obtained through systemic cryotherapy may be expected in women aged up to 49 years, in whom the disease lasted no longer than 3 years and is in the Ist of IInd period (phase).