A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ALPHA-INTERFERON TREATMENT ON THE JOINT INFLAMMATION AND SERUM CALCIUM IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract
A 12-week, double-blind controlled study comparing low dose α-interferon (5×105 iu, twice a week) and placebo was carried out to determine whether this drug has an immunomodulatory effect in rheumatoid arthritis. There were statistically significant improvements in the patients' joint score, C-reactive protein value and platelet count, without any side effects. Interferon-a caused an increase of serum calcium and a decrease of alkaline phosphatase. Thus, α-interferon requires further investigation as a possible additional useful treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

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