Oxygen consumption during phagocytosis by leukocytes in patients with rheumatic diseases

Oxygen consumption was investigated during phagocytosis by leukocytes in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. Compared with the situation in normal persons, the mean oxygen consumption in the total patient group was depressed.