Journal Article Women in Rheumatology Get access APRIL KAY APRIL KAY Dept. of Rheumatology, Guy’s HospitalLondon SEI 9RT Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Rheumatology, Volume 21, Issue 3, August 1982, Page 187, https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/21.3.187 Published: 01 August 1982
One hundred patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis were commenced on gold or penicillamine therapy. The patient's general practitioner was asked to participate in monitoring these patients. No reduction in efficacy or increase in serious adverse effects was present in this shared-care group. A 65% reduction in hospital clinic visits was achieved thus allowing more patients to benefit from this therapy.
A 20-year-old man experienced the onset of progressive scleroderma-like skin changes with eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinaemia after strenuous military activity. A biopsy showed faciitis. Concomitant splenomegaly, polysynovitis, restrictive lung function, myositis, decrease hepatic clotting factors and proteinuria were documented. He responded well to corticosteroids, relapse upon their discontinuation and had a complete remission of both skin and systemic features while on penicillamine and azathioprine. He is new in good health and has received no medication for the past two years.
