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Platelet count (PC) was compared with standard acute phase reactants (ESR, plasma viscosity and C-reactive protein) and clinical measurements to assess its usefulness as a measure of disease activity in 165 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Although PC was elevated (greater than 400 X 10(9) 1(-1) in 45% of patients and was seen to fall under the influence of second-line drugs, it was considered to be unsuitable as an indication of disease activity since levels fall for reasons other than disease improvement.

Serum samples from 57 Turkish patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) were analysed for C-reactive protein, histidine, total sulphydryl concentration and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. Clinical subgroups did not exhibit biochemical differences, including BS with and without arthritis. When compared with normal controls and with patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), those with BS were shown to be biochemically abnormal in a manner quantitatively similar to RA, but to a lesser degree. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase concentrations were found to be normal in BS.

A patient who presented with bilateral adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, oligoarthropathy and rapidly progressive proximal myopathy is described. Although clinically euthyroid, autoimmune and biochemical hypothyroidism was the only predisposing factor found. Clinical deterioration after initiation of thyroxine replacement was followed by delayed improvement with reduction in initially elevated ESR and CRP.

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) concentrations were measured in 54 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 50 control subjects. TBPA levels were significantly depressed in the RA patients, of whom 15 had values below the laboratory reference range. Although significant negative correlations were seen between TBPA and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin measurements, TBPA levels showed little relationship to disease activity as assessed clinically. On the other hand, RA patients with reduced TBPA had an increased frequency of associated anthropometric and serum visceral protein abnormalities indicating nutritional impairment. TBPA is probably subjected to diverse stimuli in patients with RA and should not be considered to act as a 'pure' negative acute phase reactant.