JAMA · 1971 · 11 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesHematologyPharmacotherapyAutoimmunityImmunopathologyRheumatologyAutoantibodiesAutoimmune Disease PathologyAutoimmune DiseasesAutoimmune Hematologic DiseaseAutoimmune Rheumatic DiseasesSystemic Autoimmune DiseaseAntinuclear Antibody PositivityAzathioprine UseConnective Tissue Disorder PathogenesisConnective Tissue Disorder SyndromesDirect Antiglobulin TestingIndirect Antiglobulin TestingRheumatoid Factor TestingScleroderma Treatment
In a case of scleroderma and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, azathioprine treatment resulted in complete remission of the hemolysis despite the persistence of positive direct and indirect antiglobulin test. There were no beneficial results of the therapy on the underlying connective tissue disorder. Complications of azathioprine treatment encountered were completely reversed with termination of therapy. These concurrences, with the positive antinuclear antibody studies and rheumatoid factor, favor the autoimmune theory of pathogenesis of scleroderma.