Clinical significance of immune complexes in rheumatoid disease.

Circulating immune complexes were measured by the Clq binding assay in 49 cases of rheumatoid disease. Raised levels showed a positive correlation with activity of the arthritis, the number of involved joints and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. No correlation was found with age, sex, duration of disease, rheumatoid nodules, presented of radiographic joint erosions or other haematological and serological parameters. In 12 patients the arthritis subsequently remitted and this remission in disease activity correlated with reduced levels of immune complexes.