Plasma macroproteins in the evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic plasmapheresis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

: In 32 patients with RA before and after lymphocyto- and/or plasmapheresis the authors determined the content of high molecular protein fraction (macroproteins) in the blood plasma. In the consecutive analysis of the body response and procedure effects it was found out that decrease in the level of macroproteins correlated with the changes of immunological status and state of the patients. The index of macroproteinemia can be used for quantitative assessment of plasmacytopheresis effect.