[Behavior of the turnover of I131-fibrinogen in various diseases of the connective tissue].

It is generally admitted that alteration to the blood coagulation system, particularly the creation of fibrin from fibrinogen may play a pathogenetic role in the complex mechanism that characterises rheumatic diseases of the connective tissue. A study was therefore conducted to see whether accelerated fibrinogen turnover could be demonstrated in such patients. To this end the clearance of fibrinogen marked with I131 was assessed in 25 patients in various stages of connectivitis and 10 controls was measured. The results showed a distinct acceleration in fibrinogen turnover only in patients with highly active rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the regressive phase or with stable progressive systemic sclerosis showed values similar to the control subjects. Finally the possible explanations for this behaviour are examined and the clinical interest of the technique employed is assessed.