THE L. E. PHENOMENON IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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Abstract
The L.E. phenomenon was found in 25 of 91 patients presenting the classic clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis. None of the patients presented the pathogonomic features of systemic lupus erythematosus. An increased frequency of rheumatoid nodules, Felty''s syndrome and elevation of the electrophoretic gamma globulin level was found in the group with the positive preparations. None of this group presented pure rheumatoid spondylitis. Except for these differences both groups were clinically indistinguishable. These findings indicate that the L.E. phenomenon may occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a nonspecific reaction. In such patients the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus should be based upon other criteria.

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