Abstract: 【Abstract】Objective To investigate the application of plasma purification in rheumatism and immune disease. Methods A total of 63 patients with rheumatism and immune diseases were treated with plasma purification in association with medications. Based on patient disease conditions, double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) or plasma absorption (PA) was selected for the therapy. Vital signs and adverse reactions were carefully monitored during the plasma purification processes. Serum immunoglobulins, autoantibodies, complements, ESR, C reactive protein (CRP), and other indices were assayed before and after the treatment, and curative effect after the treatment was evaluated. Results In the 16 SLE cases after plasma purification, SLEDAI score, 24 h urinary protein, anti-ds-DNA antibody, IgG, and complement C3 improved significantly. In the 10 rheumatoid arthritis cases after the therapy, ESR and IgG decreased, morning stiffness and fatigue improved in 8 cases (80%), and joint swell and pain alleviated in 7 cases (70%). In the 7 ankylosing spondylitis
cases after the therapy, joint pain and morning stiffness relieved in all cases, and functional improvement achieved 2 grades in 2 cases and one grade in 4 cases with the overall effective rate of 86%. In 5 cases with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after the therapy, muscle strength enhanced significantly. There were no significant differences in the clearance rate of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 after single session of DFPP and PA. Conclusions Plasma purification can be effectively and safely used in various rheumatism immune diseases, and is worthwhile to be investigated in more patients.

Key words: Plasma exchange, Double-filtration plasmapheresis, Plasma absorption, Rheumatism immune disease