['To compare patterns of cytokine secretion in patients with new onset synovitis (< 1 yr duration, n = 14), chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n = 16), and healthy controls (n = 17).', 'ELIspot assays were used to detect mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood (PMBC) and synovial fluid (SFMC) secretion the type 1 cytokines interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the type 2 cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Results were correlated with measures of disease activity.', 'Patients with new onset synovitis had increased (p < 0.05) numbers of PBMC secreting IL-2. The number of PBMC secreting IFN-gamma correlated with the joint score in the new onset synovitis population (p = 0.006). By comparison, patients with chronic RA had significantly increased numbers of PBMC secreting IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha (p < 0.05). The production of these cytokines correlated with joint score in chronic RA (p = 0.008, 0.06, 0.001, respectively).'] Do distinct patterns of cytokine secretion characterize new onset synovitis versus chronic rheumatoid arthritis?