[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.

[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.

[A new chondroprotector--polyvinylpyrrolidone for treating osteoarthrosis patients].

The authors demonstrate the role of chondroprotector therapy in the management of patients with osteoarthrosis (OA). They suggest the use of the polymeric drug polyvinylpyrrolidone as artificial synovial fluid. The drug is administered intra-articularly and is capable of replacing pathological synovial fluid.

[Efficacy of polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions of various concentrations in patients with rheumatic diseases of the joints].

Twenty-six experimental animals, 93 patients with osteoarthrosis (OA) and 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined. Intraarticular injection of both 15% and 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solutions suppressed the development of experimental arthrosis in rabbits, which manifested in a decrease of the degenerative changes in the cartilaginous tissue of the joints. The clinical examination has demonstrated that the use of different concentrations of PVP produces an equally marked effect in OA.