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The objective of the present study was to develop the program for combined step-by-step rehabilitation of the patients presenting with early-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA); the secondary objective was to estimate the effectiveness of this program. A total of 34 patients were recruited for the participation in the study. They received medicamental therapy in combination with the rehabilitative treatment during 6 months. The hospital-based treatment included therapeutic exercises for large joints under the supervision of a specialist (45 min), occupational therapy (45 min), local aerial cryotherapy of wrist, knee, and ankle joints (10 sessions 15 min each at a temperature of -60 degrees C), ortheses, and the educational program (4 daily studies 90 min each). The outpatient and home-based treatment included therapeutic exercises for large joints (45 min), wrist exercises (45 min) three times every week, ortheses. 26 patients received only medicamental therapy (control group). The following characteristics were measured: the average power of extension of knee joints and of flexion of ankle joints (by means of En-TreeM analysis of movements), wrist grip strength, articular pain (100 mm VAS, DAS28, HAQ, RAPID3 indices). The rehabilitative program ensured excellent compliance with basal therapy, reduced requirements for symptomatic medicines, and improved adherence to the methods for the formation of the correct movement patterns, orthesis wearing, and regular therapeutic exercises. The rehabilitative treatment resulted in the relief of articular pain by 70.4% (p < 0.01), decrease of DAS28 by 31.9% (p < 0.05), HAQ by 75.8% (p < 0.01), and RAPID3 by 60.1% (p < 0.01). The grip strength of the more seriously injured wrist increased by 44.9% (p < 0.05) and that of the less damaged one by 31.3% (p < 0.05). The average extension power of the weaker knee joint increased by 88.7% (p < 0.01) and that of the stronger joint by 67.7% (p < 0.01). The average flexion power of the more seriously injured ankle joint increased by 81.6% (p < 0.01) and that of the less damaged one by 70.2% (p < 0.01). The two groups were significantly different in terms of the majority of characteristics evaluated. It is concluded that the combined rehabilitative treatment helps to control the activity of the disease, enhances the functional abilities, improves the locomotor activity and quality of life of the patients with early-onset rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To specify the association between obesity and the frequency of concomitant states, fat metabolic disturbances, and progressive osteoarthrosis (OA) at various sites., Subjects and Methods: The study included 298 patients with manifest knee and hip osteoarthrosis in whom the body mass index (BMI) and waist and hip circumferences were measured calculating the waist-hip index. The association of these indices with the severity of OA and the development of concomitant states was analyzed., Results: Both women and men were found to have overweight and first-second-degree obesity at equal ratios - 61.6 and 59%, respectively. There was an evident rise in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease) and diabetes mellitus with a higher BMI. Stages II-III gonarthrosis was predominant (97.1%) in the obesity group (BMI 30.0-35.0 or greater). With a BMI of > 40, X-ray stages III-IV OA were revealed in 83.3% of the patients., Conclusion: Our findings support the important role of obesity as a risk factor in the development of OA. Fat metabolic disturbances also make a considerable contribution in the development of concomitant states and in the progression of OA of both knee and hand joints.

A hundred and two patients (18 males, 84 females; mean age, 50.3 +/- 12.3 years) diagnosed as having early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined. A control group consisted of 189 patients with various rheumatic diseases and 30 healthy donors. The serum concentrations of antibodies to modified citrullinized vimentin (MCVA) and to cyclic citrullinized peptide2 (CCTP2A) were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA); rheumatoid factor (RF) IgM was determined by nephelometric immunoassay. In early RA, the level of MCVA (median, 49.6 U/ml; interquartile range, 0.9-249.3) was significantly higher than in the control group 1.65 U/ml; 0.3-19.7). There was a direct significant correlation between the levels of MCVA and CCTP2A (p = 0.9), as well as RF IgM (p = 0.6). The diagnostic efficiency of MCVA (area under the curve, 0.705; 95% confidence interval, 0.607-0.803) was higher than that of CCTP, (0.590; 0.467-0.714), but lower than that of RF IgM (0.813; 0.736-0.889). MCVA was comparable with CCTP, and RF IgM in sensitivity; however, it ranked below them in specificity (71%). Choice of the optimum upper normal range (30 U/ml) permits up to an 88% increase in MCVA specificity and the concurrent consideration of results of testing MCVA, CCTP2A, and RF IgM is attended by up to a 78% increase in sensitivity. EIA of MCVA is a sensitive and specific serological test for the diagnosis of early RA.

Aim: To evaluate clinical significance of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)., Material and Methods: HRV was investigated by means of time-domain analysis of 24 hour ambulatory ECG of 122 SLE patients under 55 years of age and 32 age-matched healthy controls. In addition to clinical manifestations and activity of SLE, we assessed the presence of basic conventional cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, body mass index, dyslipidemia), performed common carotid duplex scanning with measurement of intima-medial thickness (IMT). Inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP, IL-6) were assessed in all the patients., Results: Significantly lower HRV and the trend to tachycardia were detected in SLE patients when compared to the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between HRV and a cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide, a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level, a negative correlation between HRV and cumulative dose of azathioprine, standard risk factors (hypertension, smoking, body mass index, triglyceride level), markers of inflammation (ESR, CRP, IL-6) and IMT., Conclusion: Measurement of HRV in combination with routine cardiovascular risk factors and level of inflammatory markers can be used for identification of subjects at risk for faster progression of atherosclerosis in SLE patients.

Aim: To study efficacy and tolerance of leflunomide (LF) in patients with polyarticular psoriatic arthritis (PsA)., Material and Methods: The analysis was made in 58 patients: 35 (60%) females, 23 (40%) males. Mean age of the patients was 44.9 +/- 10.8 years, PsA duration--9.7 +/- 7.5 years. LF was given by a standard scheme: 100 mg/day for 3 days then 20 mg/day for 6 months. PsA activity was assessed by the number of painful and inflamed joints, pain intensity, VAS, Likert quastionnaire data. Functional status of the patients was estimated according to Health Assessment Questionnaire. Skin syndrome was rated by pruritus scale, 5-score Likert scale and PASI (psoriasis Area and Severity Index). PASI was applied in patients with affected area 3% at least. Quality of life was assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index. Basic criterion of the treatment efficacy was response by PsARC (Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria). The additional evaluation was made of the number of patients with improvement by criteria ACR 20, ACR 50 and ACR 75 as well as those with 50 and 75% response by PASI (PASI 50 and PASI 75)., Results: To the end of the treatment the number of painful and inflamed joints decreased significantly (p < 0.001) as well as pain, VAS and Likert scores. To the treatment month 6 HAQ index diminished by 36%. According to PsARC, of 58 patients 36 (62%) patients responded. Improvement by ACR 20 was observed in 34 (59%) of 58 patients. PASI changes were not significant (p = 0. 144). DLQI diminished by 36% (p = 0.028). As shown by acute phase indices, LF had no effect on ESR (p = 0.45). CRP fell significantly to treatment month 3 (p < or = 0.001) and further changes were insignificant. LF tolerance was satisfactory. Ten patients (17%) withdrew because of side effects which were standard. Severe myelo- and hepatotoxicity were absent., Conclusion: LF is highly effective in therapy of polyarticular PsA and has satisfactory tolerance. Perspectives of further use of LF in combined treatment of PsA are associated with its potential to inhibit the disease progression.

The paper deals with problems of rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. These problems are rather topical in view of high prevalence of rheumatic diseases, their severe course and a high rate of invalidization at the most productive age. Relevant multifactorial therapeutic measures should be staged, aimed at lowering and stabilization of the disease activity. The role of updated medication, joint surgery, diet therapy, etc. is shown.

Aim: To perform of clinical trial of alisate--a garlic preparation produced in Russia., Materials and Methods: An open controlled trial of alisate enrolled 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 15 patients with RA of varying clinical form, stage and activity were given alisate in a dose 300 mg (1 tablet) twice a day for 4-6 weeks. 15 control RA patients received conventional antirheumatic therapy., Results: The alisate group achieved a good and partial response in 86.5% of cases. The drug was well tolerated and had no side effects. In control group, some parameters changed for the worse., Conclusion: Alisate can be recommended for treatment of RA patients in combined and monotherapy.

The review of the modern literature about a role of essential dietary antioxidants and first of all of vitamins E, C, P, A and carotenoids in protection of cell components against of damage by excessive strengthening of free radical oxidation is submitted. Expediency of inclusion of antioxidant vitamins in complex therapy of rheumatic diseases is discussed taking into account the failure in an antioxidant system and excessive strengthening of free radical oxidation as important symptoms in development of rheumatic diseases.

HLA haplotype distribution was analyzed in nuclear families of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Sixteen families with two or more diabetic siblings were examined, a total of 69 subjects, 33 of these diabetic siblings and 36 normal subjects (siblings and parents). The data were processed using the involved sibling pairs method based on a mixed model making use of a conditional probability approach. The ratio of diabetic sibling pairs concordant by 2 haplotypes, 1 haplotype, and discordant by 2 haplotypes was 9:5:2 vs. 1:2:1 expected according to Mendel's accidental distribution (p < 0.025). Increased incidence of siblings concordant by 2 haplotypes proves the presence in the HLA domain of one or several genes responsible for the development of diabetes mellitus. Siblings identical by two HLA haplotypes with the diabetic proband are at a higher risk of developing this disease.

93 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were given diet therapy and unloading diets (ULD). Adjuvant diets appeared beneficial for RA patients, allowed reduction in antirheumatic drug dosages. ULD are recommended as an alternative treatment of RA dependent on the process activity and pattern.

The course of the main chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints was analyzed with special reference to the rural region of Georgia. 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with ankylosing spondylarthritis, and 6 with reactive arthritis are registered and followed up by the rheumatologist. It is shown that the population of the region in question is characterized by a later onset of RA, a high percentage of the seronegative variety of the disease with involvement of the hand joints, and ankylosing of the carpal joints. The males demonstrate a low activity of the process. Since RA ran a benign course, the patients were only treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The RA patients preserved work fitness for a long time. Ankylosing spondylarthritis was marked by the primary injury to the spine associated with the development of ankylosis and calcification of the ligamentous apparatus without a well-defined spinal deformity. Large-scale examination of the population of the region has shown the necessity of such measures for they permit identification of new cases of the disease to carry out early adequate treatment and specialized employment of the patients.

As many as 200 patients with acute rheumatic fever were examined. Impairment of the joints in the form of classic migrating polyarthritic was detected in 96% of the cases. The knee (in 80%), talocrural (in 72%), slightly rare radiocarpal (in 21%), and elbow joints were mostly damaged. In addition to the above-indicated damage to the joints, one could see slightly atypical injuries in the form of monoarthritis (in 4%), arthritis of small articulations of the feet and hands (in 6%), and of the sternoclavicular articulations (in 3.5%). According to the cytological, biochemical and immunological findings, synovial fluid obtained from 11 patients suffering from acute rheumatic fever did not differ, significantly from synovial fluid of patients with reactive arthritis.

The main requirements for the dietotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have been formulated, and for the first time a pathogenetically balanced diet has been developed that produces antiinflammatory and immunocorrective effects. The effectiveness of the dietotherapy included into the combined treatment was studied in 41 patients with classic and proved RA. The authors have studied the influence of the dietotherapy on the clinical signs characterizing the activity of inflammation in the joints, and laboratory immunological parameters (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, the complement components: C1-inhibitor, C3, C4, C5, C9; haptoglobin, orrhozomucoid, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, prealbumin). The results of the study have shown that the dietotherapy is not only conducive to the improvement of the clinical picture of the disease, that permits diminishing the amount of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs used, but also produces a favourable effect on the RA patients' immunological state. It has been concluded that inclusion of the dietotherapy into the combined treatment of RA patients is advisable.

The authors studied the effect of the Soviet-made immunoglobulin drug intended for intramuscular administration on the clinico-immunological indices of 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The drug was administered in a dose of 1500-1800 mg for 7 days running of each month. The control group included 15 patients with RA who received the drug in extremely low doses in accordance with the same pattern. Significant positive changes in the majority of the clinico-laboratory indices were noted in the main group. Individual assessment of the drug efficacy allowed one to note improvement in 8 patients (out of 14) in one month, in 7 (out of 12) in 3 months, in 4 (out of 7) in 6 months. One patient exhibited considerable improvement of her state and one developed fever due to which the treatment was discontinued. The results of the therapy correlated with deexpression of Ia-antigens under the effect of the drug on the peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Investigation findings are generalized based on quantitation of antibodies against the antigens of intestinal microorganisms of Enterobacteriaceae family conducted in 66 children with various joint disease using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) methodology. High antibody titres were revealed in 77.1% juvenile rheumatoid arthritis cases and in 80% cases with chronic juvenile arthritis which was not defined nosologically. All the patients with reactive arthritis associated with intestinal infection showed high tension of immunity to all tested enterobacteriaceae antigens with cross reactions to them. Patients with reactive arthritis associated with oral infection, with Reiter's disease and other disorders exhibited high antibody titres at the same rate as in the control.

Presented are findings of comparative studies of the clinico-immunological parameters and the microcirculatory bed status in 17 DM I probands and 37 of their family members and in 17 SLE probands with 54 of their relatives. The DM I families were found to have DM and prediabetic cases, while among the SLE probands' families rheumatic and, less frequently, cardiovascular diseases prevailed. In the DM I probands' families, a significantly greater number of relatives were found to have rheumatoid factor, high IgG level, anti-DNA antibodies, and CIC (as compared to the SLE series). Both DM I and SLE groups demonstrated reduced efficacy of the cutaneous circulation as compared to norm; in the DM I relatives this disorder was more pronounced than in SLE relatives. The degree to which circulatory changes were pronounced was related to immunological disorders.

ELISA quantitation of antibodies to Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Yersinia enterocolitica was conducted in 75 ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) probands and in 262 of their first-degree relatives. The control group comprised 28 healthy donors. Sixteen (64 per cent) AS probands (12 with B27+) and 26 (30.2 per cent) their relatives (14 with B27+) were found to have high titres of antibodies to Klebsiella pneumonia. In 18 (60 per cent) active RA probands and 27 (23.7 per cent) relatives, antibodies to Proteus mirabilis were found. The obtained results suggest the presence of genetic determinants of the increased immune response to various infectious agents, at least in the AS cases. The possibility of Enterobacteriaceae acting as polyclonal stimulators is not excluded.