A Double-Blind, Controlled Study of Lymphoplasmapheresis versus Sham Apheresis in Rheumatoid Arthritis

THE techniques of selective plasma exchange or lymphocyte removal, accomplished with the use of automated blood separators, have been postulated as being effective in a variety of disease states. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most commonly occurring disorder for which evidence suggests a beneficial effect of therapeutic apheresis. Up to 10 per cent of the 7 million Americans with rheumatoid arthritis have active, progressively deforming disease despite interventions with powerful and toxic remittive agents. Lymphoplasmapheresis, plasmapheresis, and lymphapheresis have been reported to be effective in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis.1 2 3 4 5 The idea that lymphocyte depletion would ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis stems from . . .