Splenic reticuloendothelial function in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

Splenic reticuloendothelial function was assessed in 20 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis by measuring the clearance of autologous heat-damaged labeled erythrocytes from the circulation. Eight patients (40%) had delayed clearance but in contrast to previous reports, we found no correlation between disease activity, levels of circulating immune complexes and splenic hypofunction. The absence of IgM rheumatoid factor was noted in 7 of 8 patients with delayed clearance times.