Effects of intra-articular corticosteroids in vivo on synovial fluid variables in rheumatoid synovitis

Abstract

Intra-articular instillation of corticosteroids in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often followed by transient relief of symptoms and signs of local synovitis (Hollander, Brown, Jessar, and Brown, 1951; Ziff, Scull, Ford, McEwen, and Bunim, 1952). The basis for this clinical improvement is not known and has not been comprehensively correlated with changes in the characteristic synovial fluid (SF) abnormalities of RA. Decreases in the SF acid phosphatase level and leucocyte count (Ziff and others, 1952; Lemperg, Beckman, and Beckman, 1971) and transient decreases in SF haemolytic complement (CH50) level (Hunder and McDuffie, 1972) have been reported after the intra-articular administration of a corticosteroid. Effects of intra-articular corticosteroids in vivo on synovial fluid variables in rheumatoid sinovitis.