[Gold treatment of progressive chronic polyarthritis--a clinical study].

In an intraindividual series of investigation consisting of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis the effect of gold therapy (Aurothioglucose) has been proved controlling biochemical and clinical parameters. Controls of the function-index by Steinbrocker et al. have shown a significant improvement in comparison with the stage before gold treatment. Futhermore a significant decrease of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren) as well as a significant increase of albumins and a significant decrease of gamma-globulins in proteinelectrophoresis provoked by gold treatment could be demonstrated. Side effects during gold treatment were observed in 5 patients; therapy was stopped in 2 patients.