[The immunomodulating action of extracorporeal treatment methods and the late effect from their use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Unlike hemocarboperfusion (HCP), plasmapheresis (PA) produces a long-term effect in the treatment of serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis. This explains why the rebound syndrome occurs in PA two times less frequently. The analysis of the immunomodifying action of both the treatments and comparison of their efficacy suggest the conclusion that long-term and complete remissions are associated with the immunosuppressive effects, while the development of exacerbations accompanies the immunomodifying effect. HCP stimulates the immune system, while PA can induce both stimulation and suppression. Therefore, HCP can be used as an adjuvant treatment of highly active rheumatoid arthritis before the basic therapy. In PA immunosuppressive effect, it may be used as an original treatment method.