The influence of a partially HLA-matched blood transfusion on the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. Based on the immunosuppressive effects of blood transfusions in organ transplantation, we determined the effect of a blood transfusion on d isease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method. In this double-blind pilot study, 40 patients with active RA were r andomly assigned to receive a HLA-DRB1-matched blood transfusion (n = 30) o r placebo (n = 10). Disease activity was scored according to the American C ollege of Rheumatology response criteria during 6 months of follow-up. Results. After 1 month and 6 months, respectively, 6 and 16% of patients fu lfilled the response criteria in the blood transfusion group compared to no ne and 30%, respectively, in the placebo group. Following correction for th e increase in haemoglobin levels, a majority of the response parameters in the blood transfusion group showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Conclusion. A DRB1-matched blood transfusion shows improvement of symptoms in several RA patients. Additional studies are required to identify blood t ransfusion regimens that enhance the potential for therapeutic responses.