COMBINED INTENSIVE THERAPY OF RHEUMATOID- ARTHRITIS WITH SYSTEMIC MANIFESTATIONS

The efficacy of pulse-therapy in combination with hemosorption or plas mapheresis, pulse-therapy without extracorporeal treatment and methotr exate has been compared for 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with extraarticular manifestations. All kinds of intensive treatment were effective. Extracorporeal methods and pulse therapy relieved extr aarticular symptoms. Isolated pulse therapy alleviated articular syndr ome. The best results were obtained in double filtration of plasma in combination with pulse therapy. Such approach ensured improvement both articular and extraarticular inflammation. Combined intensive therapy proved an effective modality in RA able to produce responses in sever e disease.