Effect of Gold Salts and Antimalarials on the Rheumatoid Factor in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Abstract
Rheumatoid factor, when present in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, persists throughout the natural course of the disease. One hundred and thirty-six (136) sero-positive patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were treated with gold salts or antimalarials and the effect of these agents on the rheumatoid factor was studied. Rheumatoid factor disappeared from the serum in a significant percentage of patients. Gold salts were more effective than antimalarials and treatment results were better in the patients whose rheumatoid factor disappeared from the serum. These findings lend support to the clinical impression that gold salts and antimalarials are beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis.