GASTROINTESTINAL DISTURBANCES IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Abstract. Twenty‐two patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and two with active rheumatoid spondylitis have been investigated for malabsorption. The liver and pancreatic functions were also studied. Ten patients had flat lactose tolerance curves. In six of these, intestinal biopsy revealed selective lactase deficiency. Intestinal amyloidosis was observed in four patients, while a fifth showed renal amyloidosis. Seven patients had pathological d ‐xylose tolerance tests and nine had pathological vitamin A tolerance curves. Five patients exhibited folic acid deficiency and twenty low serum iron levels. A total of 16 patients showed some form of malabsorption. Pathological liver function tests were obtained in five cases, and signs of pancreatitis were observed in one patient.