[Prognostic value of some serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in assessment of x-ray outcome of the disease].

Aim: To specify significance of some serological markers for diagnosis and x-ray prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Material And Methods: A total of 115 RA patients with the disease history not longer than 4 years were examined for serum antibodies to cyclic citrullated peptide (ACCP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antikeratine antibodies (AKA) using enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence.

Results: ACCP, AKA, IgA-RF, IgM-RF were detected in 79.

[Pro- and antioxidant blood system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus].

Aim: To estimate the levels of prooxidants (malonic dialdehyde-MDA and nitric oxide-NO), Zn, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase--SOD and glutathione peroxidase--GPO) in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Material And Methods: Pro- and antioxidant system was assessed in 45 RA patients and 32 SLE patients by content of MDA estimated by reaction with thiobarbituric acid, NO (Boehringer Manheim kits, Germany), Zn (Unicam SP 190/191, Great Britain), activity of SOD and GPO (kits Ransod, Ransel; Randox, Great Britain). RA activity was evaluated by DAS index, SLE--by SLEDAI.

[Hemostasis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Aim: To study hemostasis with reference to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, extraarticular manifestations and vascular damage.

Material And Methods: We studied hemostasis in 104 RA patients. The following parameters were tested: partial thromboplastin time activation (PTTA), fibrinolytic activity (FA), prothrombin index, lupus anticoagulant (LA), mean platelet volume (PV), antibodies against cardiolipin (aCL) and antibodies against beta2-glycoprotein 1 (alphabeta2-GP1).

[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in patients with diffuse diseases of connective tissue].

Aim: To investigate the significance of antibodies against neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SS), their relations with the syndromes and laboratory indices.

Material And Methods: The sera from 277 patients suffering from connective tissue disease and 31 healthy persons were examined. Of patients, 103, 126 and 48 had RA, SLE and SS, respectively.