A study of capillary resistance in rheumatoid arthritis with special reference to the effects of long-term low-dosage oral corticosteroid therapy.

Abstract

SummaryCapillary resistance was measured by a negative pressure technique on 135 female and 135 male healthy subjects, in the area over the insertion of the deltoid muscle. No significant differences were noted between the two sexes, but the capillary resistance fell with increasing age.No differences were observed between decade-matched female rheumatoid patients who had never received corticosteroid therapy and healthy female controls. No significant difference was noted in age and decade-matched female rheumatoid patients receiving long-term low dosage oral corticosteroid therapy and healthy female controls.No correlation was found between the capillary resistance and any of the clinical or laboratory findings in the rheumatoid patients, with the exception of purpura. Patients with very low capillary resistance had purpura, whether or not they were on corticosteroid therapy.