Prognostication of the results of immunosuppressive treatment by means of logical dendrite.

Abstract

A logical dendrite was designed for establishing indications for immunosupressive treatment; it was applied in a group of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A nomogram was constructed for calculation of the expected therapeutic result, on the grounds of the indications, proposed duration of treatment and drug dosage. Comparison of the calculated and actual clinical results of treatment showed that in over 80% of cases the actual results were either consistent with or better than the expected ones. The application of prognostication seems to be particularly useful in the case of long-term treatment with highly toxic agents.