[A study of the dynamics of a contingent of patients with rheumatic diseases during ambulatory care (based on data from polyclinics in Moscow and the Moscow region)].

The analysis of the contingent of patients with rheumatic diseases taken under dispensary observation (DO) in 1985-1986 (625 persons) showed that in many polyclinics of Moscow and the Moscow region there took place substantial changes in the contingent of these patients and extension of its scope at the expense of inclusion of all nosological forms corresponding to the Regulation of the USSR Ministry of Health. Yet untimely detection and prophylactic medical examination of a great number of patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) was noted. Patients with deforming osteoarthrosis were not given due consideration.

[Importance of early diagnosis in the dispensary care of patients with rheumatic diseases].

The most important condition for effective prophylactic medical examination is early detection of diseases. The efficacy of prophylactic medical examination of rheumatic fever patients rises considerably under the conditions of stage-by-stage therapy. Another important condition for early detection and diagnosis is raising qualifications of general practitioners in the field of rheumatology.