[Increase in plasma androgens in menopausal women with rheumatoid polyarthritis]

The concentrations of sex hormones were studied in 45 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patients were classified into two groups. Group I (premenopausal) consisted of 26 women and group II (postmenopausal) included 19 women. The two groups were compared with 40 control women (20 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal). Age and weight were comparable in the 2 groups (controls and patients). The average plasma concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and androgens were comparable in group I (patients with RA) and the control group (premenopausal women). On the other hand, the plasma concentration of androgens was statistically significantly higher in patients in group II by comparison with the postmenopausal controls. It thus seems that a hyperandrogenic situation may occur in menopausal women with RA, and this might have a beneficial clinical effect on the disease.