Corticosteroid metabolism and rheumatoid arthritis.

Steroid research was begun at this Centre 6 years ago in the expectation that it would contribute to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Much has been learnt since then of the secretion and metabolism of the adrenocortical hormones in health and disease. The object of this paper is to take stock of the present position vis-a-vis rheumatoid arthritis. Why should interest have been taken in the adrenal cortex and its secretions when it was already known that cortisone was neither a cure nor a form of replacement therapy for rheumatoid arthritis? The reasons why Philip Hench turned his attention to the adrenal cortex 10 years ago are as valid now as they were then. To-day's reasons may be summarized as follows: