[Determination of endotoxin in inflammatory rheumatic diseases--the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on intestinal permeability].

We measured the amount of plasma endotoxin in 95 patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (42 with ankylosing spondylitis; 12 with possible ankylosing spondylitis; 41 with rheumatoid arthritis) and in 16 patients with Crohn's disease with a quantitative Limulus assay. Significantly increased mean values were found in inflammatory rheumatic diseases and in Crohn's disease. Between 31% and 50% of the patients had endotoxin values higher than 10 pg/ml--none of the controls had such values. Patients on regular treatment with NSAIDS had higher amounts of endotoxin again. From our results we discuss an intestinal involvement in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. An inflammation of the gut with an increased permeability seems to be responsible for the raised plasma endotoxin levels compared to healthy controls. NSAIDs probably contribute to the increased permeability of the gut.