[Evaluation of methotrexate effect on the acute-phase response in rheumatoid arthritis after 12-week treatment].

Unlabelled: DAS28 index calculated with regard for ESR, the number of swollen/painful joints and evaluation of the patient's condition by VAS is universally used to estimate activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is a variant of calculation using C-reactive protein (CRP) instead of ESR. Our experience indicates that ESR decreases more slowly than CRP during treatment and better reflects dynamics of patients' condition.

[Standardization of methotrexate administration in routine rheumatological practice].

The review is devoted to administration of methotrexate--a basic anti-inflammatory drug--in rheumatoid arthritis. Some issues of practical use of this drug are still disputable. Recommendations of international experts and information on standardization for patients are considered.

[The peculiarities of pulmonary pathology in rheumatoid arthritis].

The review covers the problems of terminology, pathogenesis, morphology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostics of pulmonary pathology in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The main variants of pulmonary and pleural changes in RA are presented. The article covers possibilities provided by modern technologies, which make it possible to widen and objective diagnostic methods, including those directed towards revealing specific changes in respiratory organs in RA patients.