The Electrophoretic Patterns of Proteins in Synovial Fluid and Serum in Rheumatoid Arthritis12

Abstract

The electrophoretic patterns of 31 synovial fluids from 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were detd. and compared with those of traumatic effusions (representing relatively normal fluids). The fluids could be divided into 3 groups and showed A) a relative albumin concn. higher in the fluid than the serum; B) albumin concns. equal; or C) the albumin fraction lower in the fluid. The distr. of proteins suggests only a possible correlation with the severity of the disease, but does show a definite relation to the duration of effusion. Fluids obtained from bilateral knee effusions in 2 patients gave identical electrophoretic patterns.