Impaired cutaneous cell-mediated immunity in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

摘要: BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by an impaired immune response and a defective cutaneous cell-mediated immunity has been reported. This study was realised in order to determine the characteristics of patients affected recent-onset untreated rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS Forty-eight newly diagnosed were studied skin testing with seven common recall antigens. The tests performed before administration disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (methotrexate, cyclosporine-A, hydroxychloroquine) repeated after four months therapy. RESULTS 43.75% RA (21 out 48) defined as anergic compared 2% normal control subjects rate depression not related either markers activity or clinical assessment. shows slight improvement methotrexate therapy, while cyclosporine-A hydroxychloroquine able achieve same result. CONCLUSIONS when are early phase second-line therapy drugs. anergy does correlate short-term treatment. prognostic significance these data remains uncertain.