Association of tumor necrosis factor-α (G-308A) genetic variant with matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and joint destruction in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the key enzymes responsible for the joint destruction. Their activity is regulated by the level of proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of TNF-α G-308A polymorphism on MMP-9 levels in blood plasma (BP) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their role in progression of joint destruction.

Anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome and anti-C1q antibodies as disease activity markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: In spite of the growing number of reports on the study of anti-nucleosome and anti-C1q antibodies, there are still controversies on their significance as disease activity markers in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their use in everyday clinical practice.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the presence of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome and anti-C1q antibodies in SLE patients, as well as to establish their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and their correlation with SLE and lupus nephritis clinical activity.

Methods: The study enrolled 85 patients aged 45.

The clinical significance of antibody determination to cyclic citrullinated peptides in systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Anti-citrullinated peptides antibodies (ACPA) are present in 80% of sera of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with high specificity for diagnosis and prediction for the development of early erosive arthritis. A few studies have reported a low frequency ACPA in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with the presence of arthritis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of ACPA in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, their correlation with clinical manifestations and radiographic features.

[Effects of natural factors of Niska Banja spa on indexes of mobility of vertebral column in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

Introduction: Ankylosing spondilitis (AS) is a disease from a group of seronegative spondyloarthropathies with the prevalence of 0.1% affecting mainly young males, which also gives sociomedical significance to the disease. Among all inflammatory arthropathies, AS is the most suitable for balneotherapy.

[Influence of balneophysical therapy on activity, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Introduction: It has been well known that balneophysical therapy has a therapeutic effect on clinical and biological parameters of disease activity in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To determine the influence of balneophysical therapy on functional capacity, activity and quality of life of the patients with RA primarily treated with some of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Methods: The study enrolled 73 patients with RA treated with some of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (Methotrexate in 85% of patients).

Remission and rheumatoid arthritis: data on patients receiving usual care in twenty-four countries.

Objective: To compare the performance of different definitions of remission in a large multinational cross-sectional cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with RA (QUEST-RA) database, which (as of January 2008) included 5,848 patients receiving usual care at 67 sites in 24 countries, was used for this study. Patients were clinically assessed by rheumatologists and completed a 4-page self-report questionnaire.