Effect of intra-articular 90Y resin treatment on the chemical properties of synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis.

Lyaluronic acid and total protein concentrations in synovial fluid of the knee joint obtained from 48 patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were determined before, and 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after intra-articular injection of 90Y resin colloid. The concentration ratio of total protein to hyaluronic acid, which is a sensitive index of the abnormality of the synovial fluid, was worse a week after the injection in each group as regards the clinical effect of the 90Y resin injection, but was better 1 month and 6 months after the injection only in the remission group.