Intestinal permeability to different-sized polyethyleneglycols in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The intestinal permeability to polyethyleneglycols (PEGs) of varying size in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been investigated. Permeability was determined by measuring the 6-hour urinary recovery of different-sized PEGs after oral intake of PEG 400, PEG 1000, or PEG 3000. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis excreted significantly less PEG 400 and PEG 1000 than healthy individuals, whereas the excretion of PEG 3000 was the same or even greater than in healthy individuals. These findings point to the possibility that intestinal permeability is altered in rheumatoid arthritis.