Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. Effects on clinical parameters and cellular immunity.

Fourteen patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were studied for the effect of piroxicam treatment on clinical parameters and cellular immunity. The treatment caused reduced disease activity as assayed by an augmented grip strength, reduced total stiffness, reduced duration of morning stiffness and reduced Ritchies articular index. No effect of the treatment was observed on the percentages of T8 and T4 positive cells nor on the natural killer (NK) cell activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In contrast, the treatment led to a reduction in the total amount of rheumatoid factor. Since rheumatoid factor is mainly produced locally in the inflamed synovial membranes, our results suggest an effect of piroxicam on the immune system locally but not in the peripheral blood.