[Comparative changes in sedimentation rate, haptoglobin and orosomucoid during the development of rhizomelic pseudopolyarthritis and temporal arteritis. Attempted definition of the biological parameters for monitoring these diseases].

In pseudo-polyarthritis of the extremities as well as in temporal arteritis we have noted a very marked correlation between sedimentation rate (ESR) and inflammatory proteins at the beginning of the disease. By contrast there is a dissociation during the course of the illness and sometimes at the time of onset in those rare forms with a normal ESR. It was therefore concluded that the ESR was not sufficiently accurate as an index of surveillance in such diseases. Study of inflammation proteins is in rare circumstances of diagnostic value at the time of onset of the disorder, in forms with a normal ESR. Comparative study of their variations with that in ESR would appear to provide an accurate factor in surveillance during the course for peripheral pseudo-polyarthritis and temporal arteritis. At that time, even though a return to a satisfactory clinical state and a normal ESR may be accompanied by a persistent increase in such proteins, it is not felt to be desirable to attempt to obtain their normalization. Finally, it would appear that their return to normal at the end of the course of the disease provides a reliable test of cure.