Læknablaðið : fylgirit - 01.05.1978, Blaðsíða 101

Höyeraal, H.M., Fröland, S.S., Káss, E.,
Natvig, J.B., Munthe, E., Salvesen, C. F. ,
Blichfeldt, P., Revlem, E. , Hegna, T.M.,
Sandstad, B. & Hjort, N. L.
Oslo Sanitetsforening Bheumatism Hospital &
Institute of Immunology and Rheumatology,
Rikshospitalet, Oslo
Transfer factor (TF) from healthy blood donors
had given promising results in an open study
comprising 3 patients with severe juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Thus, a double
blind study was performed in 24 patients with
JRA, aged 7-16 years and diagnosed according
to the criteria of Ansell & Bywaters. Patients
in remission and those severely affected were
not included. Surgery was not performed during
the period of study of 6 months. During the
first 3 months subcutaneous injections were
given at fortnightly intervals, later at monthly
intervals. Clinical and immunological evaluation
was performed at monthly intervals, but delayed
DOUBLE BLIND CONTROLLED
STUDY OF TRANSFER FACTOR
IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS
skin hypersensitivity testing was only performed
before and after treatment. The parameters
used were tested by nonparametric statistical
analysis. None of the following parameters
showed a statistical significant difference between
the treated (TF) and control (saline) group:
Subjective assessment, objective assessment by
doctor and physiotherapist, ESR, doctor’s over-
all assessment, cellular immunity by in vivo and
in vitro testing and lymphocyte populations in
peripheral blood. Thus, in this study, the TF-
preparations used had no demonstrable effect on
clinical or laboratory parameters of the disease.
A VISIT TO THE GREENHOUSE
99