The frequency of pulmonary involvement in a group of 20 patients with Sj6gren's syndrome or the sicca complex was evaluated with pulmonary function studies. In 12 patients pulmonary functional abnormalities were demonstrated. The, most common abnormality was airway obstruction. Nine out of 13 patients with the limited variant of the disease (sicca complex) and three out of seven patients with the complete syndrome had abnormal pulmonary function.

No abstract

Neurological complications following rubella are only rarely encountered. However, in many cases severe neurological impairment may occur, leading to permanent disability. In a recent epidemic of rubella in Israel during the years 1978-1979, 20 patients with severe neurological complications have been seen. We report on 5 cases of which 3 are described in detail. Considering the efficacy of immunization against rubella, we suggest that in countries such as England and Israel in which periodic epidemics of rubella occur, a generalized plan of immunization should be undertaken during the first years of life. Such an approach will prevent the neurological complication of congenital, as well as acquired, rubella infection.

Thirty-two patients entered a simple-blind, cross-over study on the action of tocopherol in osteoarthritis; only 3 did not complete the course. Each patient was randomly assigned either to the tocopherol group (600 mg/day for 10 days) or to the placebo group. After 10 days the groups were transposed. The analgesic and other possible effects of tocopherol vs. placebo were assessed by the patients' daily records, by the physician's personal examination and interview, and by observations on the use of an additionally permitted analgesic (pro re nata). In 52 percent of the 29 patients who completed the study of good tocopherol analgesic effect was noted, but only 4 percent of those receiving placebo reported a similar effect. The difference was statistically significant. Further large-scale assessement of the influence of tocopherol in osteoarthritis would seem to be justified.