PERIPHERAL VASCULAR EFFECT OF CORTISONE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SCLERODERMA AND OTHER RELATED CONDITIONS

Journal/Book: Reprinted from Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Vol. 13 No. 4 December 1954. 1954;

Abstract: From the University Department of Surgery and Rheumatism Research Centre Manchester Royal Infirmary RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION JULY 9 1954 Summary (1) The peripheral vascular response to short courses of cortisone has been studied by a heat flow technique in 22 patients suffering from rheumatoid disease systemic sclerosis and other related syndromes in which digital blood flow is reduced. (2) During cortisone therapy there was a marked increase of digital blood flow in patients who experienced relief of joint pain and stiffness and in whom the reactive hyperaemia time was less than 5 seconds. (3) The differential sheep cell agglutination test was positive in fourteen of the 22 patients investigated but the presence of a positive test was not specially associated with a good symptomatic or vascular response to cortisone. (4) After the withdrawal of cortisone the digital blood flow usually fell to below pre-treatment levels. The cortisone used in these studies was provided by the Medical Research Council. ___MH

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