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The aim of the work was the determination of blood serum cytokines level and identification of possible association of the latter with smoking in the case of reactive arthritis (ReA) developed on the background of urogenital chlamydiosis. 74 patients with ReA were tested. 19 patients had acute ReA (disease duration not exceeding 6 months from manifestation of chlamydiosis) and 55 - chronic ReA (disease duration exceeding 6 months from manifestation of chlamydiosis). 56 of the tested patients were systematic smokers. Control group was presented by patients with urogenital chlamydiosis, but without ReA. Diagnosis of chlamydiosis was based on the urethral swab examination by means of direct immunofluorescence and cytological methods. Level of cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma) was determined by means of ELISA method. Results obtained in acute and chronic ReA patients groups were compared with each other and data obtained in the control group. In addition, difference in cytokine levels was assessed in smokers and non-smokers groups. Obtained results assessment revealed that IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha and INF-gamma levels statistically significantly decrease in following sequence: control group, acute ReA, chronic ReA. IL-10 level statistically significantly increases in the same sequence. IL-10 level in smokers with acute ReA statistically significantly prevails the same data in non-smokers, and TNF-alpha level in general group is statistically significantly lower. Obtained results created basis for assumption that non-effective immune system reaction such as cytokine production changes significantly and exogenous affection by smoking should have certain significance in pathogenesis of reactive arthritis developed on the background of urogenital chlamydiosis. Association between these factors needs to be further studied.

Based on analysis of the data on 124 patients with significant diagnosis of Reiter's disease, coxitis was discovered in 38 (30.8%) of them. During examination, the early clinical signs were revealed to diagnose any coxitis as were differential diagnostic signs to delineate lesions of the hip joints in seronegative arthritis and/or spondylarthritis (Reiter's disease, ankylosing spondylarthritis and psoriatic arthritis), having an analogous clinico-roentgenologic appearance.

Comparison of the time-course of changes in the clinico-laboratory, x-ray and immunological findings in RA patients under the influence of the treatment with azathioprine (50 patients) sulfasalazine (42 patients) and their combination (48 patients) has demonstrated that the best effect (64.6%) may be provided by the use of combined therapy. Azathioprine and sulfasalazine should be administered in combination to patients with seropositive RA, systemic disease manifestations and a high laboratory activity as well as to patients with hormonal dependence. To reduce the number of untoward effects the indicated basic drugs should be applied in moderate doses.

The results of simultaneous epidemiological surveys of the adult population (7000 persons) in the city of Tbilisi and workers at 7 enterprises of the machine-building and mining industries (9189) have shown that 0.29% of the population, mainly men aged over 40 with hereditary predisposition, obesity, carbohydrate metabolic derangement, consuming food rich in purine bases, national flavorings and spices, suffer from gout. A high prevalence of gout among workers of the mining industry and early age at the onset of disease suggest probable association of gout with some industrial factors (manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, bismuth).

An analysis of the results of a study of the regional blood circulation in 36 patients with marked pathology of the hip joints of inflammatory nature (rheumatoid arthritis, Bechterew's disease, Reiter's disease) showed a statistically significant increase in transcutaneous oxygen pressure in the projection of the affected joints in unilateral as well as in bilateral pathology. In unilateral pathology there was a significant increase in transcutaneous oxygen pressure, on the surface of the contralateral joint, where pathology was undetectable by routine clinical methods. In the authors' opinion, it could be indicative either of an early stage of the joint involvement or the general reaction of a region under study to an inflammatory process.