[High-dose immunoglobulins for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: pilot study of 7 cases].

High intravenous doses (400 mg/kg) of gammaglobulin (IVIG) were administered monthly for six months to 7 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In all cases, previous treatment with NSAIDs and corticosteroids and in 3 of them with gold and/or methotrexate had been ineffective. A 50 per cent improvement of Ritchie index was obtained in 6/7 patients, morning stiffness was reduced from greater than 2 hours to less than 30 minutes in 6/7 patients. Swollen joints and Lee index improved in all patients. ESR did not show any change but RCP improved in 6/7 patients. The study of lymphocyte subpopulation showed no substantial changes in CD20+, CD3+, CD4 and CD8 cells as well as in CD4/CD8 ratio and a significant increase in 2H4+T cells without changes in 4B4+ subpopulation. IVIG improved the clinical and laboratory features of patients with severe RA. The major problem raised by IVIG therapy is its high cost suggesting that this therapy should only be applied in well selected patients with RA.