[Radioisotope synovectomy in multi-modality treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]

The colloid solution of radioactive gold 198 was administered to 91 knee joints of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a dose of 5-7 mCu. The patients were examined before and 6-12 months after radionuclide synovectomy. The treatment turned out effective in 35% of the cases, while in 19% of the cases, the effect was assessed as beneficial, and in 16% as satisfactory. The treatment efficacy decreased with age and disease standing. Three groups of the joints were distinguished in relation to the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation. In group I, this parameter constituted less than 80 Gy, in group II, from 80 to 100 Gy, and in group III, over 100 Gy. The efficacy of the different absorbed doses was assessed by the double blind method. In group I, the increase of the absorbed dose to over 100 Gy maintained 25%, and in group III, in 72% of the cases. Therefore, the increase of the absorbed dose to over 100 Gy maintained a significant (p less than 0.01) rise of the treatment efficacy.