No abstract

<p><strong>Objective</strong>. To evaluate changes in the expression of tumor necrosis  factor-α in patients with rheumatoid arthritis submitted to phototherapy. <strong>Materials and methods</strong>. This was an open label study, enrolling ten patients. The phototherapy scheme within a range of 425 to 650 nm, 11.33 Joules/cm2, 30 cm above the chest was as follows: a) 45-min daily sessions from Monday to Friday for 2 to 3 months; b) three, 45-min weekly sessions for 1 to 2 months; c) twice weekly 45-min sessions for 1 to 2 months, and d) one weekly session for 1 to 2 months until completion. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor were measured in peripheral blood and tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-10 in leukocytes by quantitative real-time Reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction. In all the patients the next indexes: Karnofsky scale, Rheumatoid Arthritis-specific quality of life instrument, Steinbrocker Functional Capacity Rating and the Visual Analog Scale were evaluated. <strong>Results</strong>. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and rheumatoid factor declined notoriously after the indicated sessions. In gene expression, there was a tendency in tumor necrosis factor-α to decrease after 1 month, from 24.5±11.4 to 18±9.2 relative units, without reaching a significant statistical difference. The four tested indexes showed improvement. <strong>Conclusion</strong>. Phototherapy appears to be a plausible complementary option to reduce the inflammatory component in  rheumatoid arthritis.</p>

Conflicto de intereses: los autores declaran no tener ningún tipo de conflicto de intereses.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease for which there is no known cure. Ultraviolet light can induce immunosuppressive effects. Our main objective was to ascertain whether a complementary treatment with phototherapy improves changes in functional scales in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Seven women with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled for this study and submitted to phototherapy sessions with a 425 to 650 nm lamp. Results: The Karnofsky scale changed from requiring frequent medical care to being capable of normal activity with few symptoms or signs of disease (p = 0.018), the RaQol questionnaire decreased abruptly from 29 to zero points (p = 0.018), the Steinbrocker Functional Capacity Rating changed from limited to little or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care to complete ability to carry out all the usual duties without handicaps (p = 0.017). The pain was remitted after the treatment period. The acute inflammation variables showed a significant decrease after the indicated sessions, C-reactive protein (p = 0.042), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The evaluated scales clearly show a benefit with the phototherapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thus, phototherapy seems to be a plausible complementary option to reduce the symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis.