Control trials of dimethyl sulfoxide in rheumatoid and collagen diseases

This is a report of control trials using DMSO in 199 patients. Seventy patients were diagnosed as suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, and ranged in age from 17 to 75 years. Thirty-five children ages 5-13 were diagnosed with juvenile chronic arthritis. The diagnosis was made according to American Rheumatology Association criteria. Sixty-five patients ranging in age from 18-65, had Sjogren's syndrome. The diagnosis was based on clinical and laboratory findings. Twenty-nine patients suffered from systemic scleroderma with pronounced and extensive skin involvement. In 6 patients, ulcerations of fingers were seen.