Reticulocyte Count in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, with Observations on the Effect of Gold Therapy on Bone Marrow Function

Abstract

Hemopoiesis in 7 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied during Au therapy. Serial blood counts, examination of bone marrow aspirates and radioFe studies did not indicate consistent marrow depression. One patient manifested other evidence of Au toxicity, and there was some reduction in sacral uptake and subsequent utilization of radio-Fe, but no disturbance of the peripheral blood count. An irregular rise in the reticulocyte count in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis which disappeared when the disease was ameliorated by Au therapy, was not observed in patients with inactive rheumatoid arthritis. An irregular reticulocytosis is an unexplained feature of rheumatoid disease.