Neutrophil marrow profiles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and neutropenia.

Neutrophil marrow cellularity was determined in 14 neutropenic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from measurements of neutrophil-normoblast ratios in marrow biopsies and ferrokinetic estimates of marrow normoblasts. A marrow profile was developed for each patient comprising the numbers of promyelocytes and myelocytes, of metamyelocytes and bands, and of segmented neutrophils in whole marrow. In each case a maturation ratio was calculated by dividing the number of metamyelocytes and bands by the number of promyelocytes and myelocytes. The physiologic marrow response to loss of neutrophils from circulation was assumed to be an increase in promyelocytes and myelocytes due to proliferation and influx, a reduction in segmented cells due to early release, and a normal maturation ratio. The results were interpreted in the light of the 95% confidence limits for data previously obtained from 13 normal subjects: in patients with neutropenia reduced or basal numbers of promyelocytes and myelocytes were interpreted as absence of the anticipated proliferative response; increased numbers of marrow segmented cells were attributed to failure of release; a low maturation ratio was assessed to reflect intramedullary cell loss. The pattern in two patients with Felty's syndrome was consistent with a physiological response to neutrophil destruction. The other 12 patients had neutrophil marrow abnormalities. Seven patients with Felty's syndrome and four patients without splenomegaly had absolute or relative hypoplasia of neutrophil marrow or low maturation ratios. One patient with a normal spleen size had an increased number of marrow segmented cells yet failed to mobilize cells normally in response to dialysis coil-activation of C3. Abnormalities of neutrophil marrow may contribute to neutropenia in RA irrespective of the presence of splenomegaly. Recognition of neutrophil marrow abnormalities in these patients may be of value in prognosis and management.