Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Objective</jats:italic>. Lymphocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have diminished receptor density; thus, patients with RA should show partial resistance to glucocorticoids. We investigated the glucocorticoid sensitivity of lymphocytes in RA patients compared with healthy subjects.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Methods</jats:italic>. We determined the effects of glucocorticoids on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine release.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Results</jats:italic>. Proliferation and cytokine release were inhibited in RA patients to the same extent as in healthy controls.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Conclusion</jats:italic>. Diminished receptor density in RA patients does not result in glucocorticoid resistance.</jats:p>