Antinuclear antibody: predictive of lymphocyte response in rheumatoid arthritis.

The phytohemagglutinin induced response of lymphocytes was studied in two groups of rheumatoid patients differing only in the presence or absence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The response was found to be depressed in 16 ANA positive and normal in 14 ANA negative patients. Antinuclear antibody screening may serve as a simple method to identify a subgroup of immunodepressed rheumatoid patients who may be potential candidates for immunostimulation therapy.