[Early recognition of adverse effects, especially of kidney lesions, in patients with progressive chronic polyarthritis under D-Penicillamine therapy].

A report is given on the control of the course of 36 patients with progressive chronic polyarthritis under treatment of D-penicillamine. Despite the favourable therapeutic effect side effects of various kinds are observed. As the severest complication the development of renal disturbances with proteinuria is to be regarded. With the help of the disc electrophoresis of the urine it is possible to establish the beginning disturbances of the permeability of the basal membrane and to achieve a retrogression by reduction of the dose or finishing of the treatment with the medicament, respectively.