In the coming XXI century, infectious diseases still retain their importance both in medical and social terms, this problem is very relevant for rheumatology, where comorbid infections (CI) have a significant impact on both the course of the main immuno-inflammatory rheumatic disease (IIRD) and mortality. One of the leading places in the structure of serious CI in patients with IIRD is occupied by pneumonia, which is a weighty argument in favor of the vaccination of these patients from pneumococcal infection. The article presents generalized data on the use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) in patients with IIRD who received inpatient and outpatient treatment at the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology for the last 10 years. It has been shown that the vaccination of PPV-23 in patients with IIRD is characterized by high preventive efficacy (>90%), is safe and does not increase the risk of exacerbation of the disease. The sufficient immunogenicity of vaccination is evidenced by a significant increase in the levels of pneumococcal antibodies in the blood serum and the coefficient of post-vaccination response. The use of glucocorticoids (methylprednisolone, prednisolone) has no significant effect on the effectiveness, immunogenicity and safety of PPV-23 vaccination. The possibility of vaccination of PPV-23 with any activity of the process in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and spondyloarthritis (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis) with the condition of adequate therapy has been demonstrated. In order to develop clearer indications for vaccination, to determine time intervals for revaccination, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of new pneumococcal vaccines, as well as to study the effect on the results of immunization of various anti-rheumatic drugs in patients with IIRD, further multicenter large-scale studies are needed. 

The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) is particularly challenging not only for doctors, but also for patients with inflammatory diseases, including spondyloarthritis. Although a large number of studies have been conducted over the past 2 years on the effect of COVID-19 on patients with rheumatic diseases, however, the conclusions from them are not always unambiguous. Given the growing number of cases of COVID-19 infection worldwide, there is a need to study the impact of individual diseases on its outcomes. The results of the study of COVID-19 in spondyloarthritis are limited to isolated reports of cases of the disease. Moreover, there is practically no literature devoted to the outcomes of COVID-19 exclusively in patients with axial spondyloarthritis. However, over the past few months, two large studies have been publishe d, in total, analyzing the outcomes of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in more than 14,000 patients with spondyloarthritis. The article discusses the results of these studies, the result of which is the conclusion that the presented data should convince both patients and doctors that axial spondyloarthritis and the therapy carried out for its treatment does not increase the risk of infection and does not aggravate the outcomes of COVID-19. 

The article describes a COVID-19 patient with several biomarkers of systemic cytokine storm (including multiple excess over the reference values of C-reactive protein, ferritin and D-dimer) and increased level of autoantibodies (aPL and anti-CCP). At the same time contrast-enhanced CT and US failed to detect pulmonary embolism or lower limb deep vein thrombosis. Three months after discharge from the hospital, a high level of antiphospholipid antibodies and D-dimer remained. The relationship between infection with SARS-CoV-2 and autoimmunity has been discussed. 

In the third year of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, COVID-19) pandemic doctors are encountering a new pathology – post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS, long covid). Musculoskeletal manifestations are among the most common and may present as myalgia, arthralgia, or arthritis. Currently, there is no generally accepted definition of the disease, its duration, classification, or diagnostic criteria, and no single view on the “content” of musculoskeletal manifestations of PCS. We have enough descriptions of the debut of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after SARS-CoV-2. That is a question: it is a coincidence, or COVID-19 may be a trigger factor of RA? We thought that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a trigger factor for new rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis or COVID-19 can unmask previously undetected RA. The occurrence of arthritis may be a sign of PCS with transient character. So arthritis in the post covid period may induce problems in differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases. 

According to modern concepts, human immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), depending on the prevailing mechanisms of immunopathogenesis, are divided into two main categories – autoimmune and autoinflammatory.

At the same time, both autoimmune and autoinflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of most IMIDs, the complex interaction of which is reflected in the polymorphism of clinical manifestations, course variants, outcomes, and therapy efficacy. It is assumed that hyperproduction of cytokines of the interleukin (IL) 1 family, which is one of the key regulators of innate immunity, determines the “crossover” between the mechanisms of autoinflammation and autoimmunity in IMIDs. Anakinra is currently used in clinical practice to suppress the pathological effects of IL-1. An analysis of the results of the clinical use of Anakinra indicates that treatment with this drug should be considered as a promising direction in the pharmacotherapy of systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) and critical conditions in children and adults associated with the development of hyperinflammation. The main directions of the Anakinra clinical research program are presented, including: determining the place of the drug in the implementation of the "Treat to Target" strategy and personalization of therapy, primarily in patients with “resistant” (difficult-to-treat) subtype of rheumatoid arthritis and comorbid pathology, as well as with severe forms of microcrystalline arthritis; the possibility of using Anakinra to improve the early diagnosis of SAIDs in children and adults; creation of the Russian register of patients with SAIDs, who are potentially indicated for treatment with Anakinra. 

According to experimental studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can affect the healing of bone tissue after fractures. The significance of this effect of NSAIDs for real clinical practice is the subject of discussion. We analyzed publications on the problem of nonunion or development of fractures against the background of taking NSAIDs presented in the PubMed and MEDLINE system. From 1976 to 2021, 75 papers on this topic were published, of which 19 were observational, cohort and randomized controlled trials, as well as case-control studies, 4 meta-analyses. According to meta-analyses, which included from 6 to 16 studies, there was an association between taking NSAIDs and nonunion of bones after fractures or postoperative trauma: the odds ratio ranged from 2.07 (95% CI: 1.19–3.61) to 5.27 (95% CI: 2.34–11.88). A number of large studies confirm an increased risk of nonunion of fractures and the development of “marching” fractures in patients treated with NSAIDs. The risk of nonunion was increased when using NSAIDs for more than 2 weeks and in high doses. With short-term use of NSAIDs (less than 2 weeks) and the use of these drugs in pediatric practice, the frequency of bone tissue repair disorders did not increase. 

This review is focused on the issue of terminology in patients with multiple coexisting diseases in modern clinical practice. We articulate that multimorbidity is one of the leading problems in the field of public healthcare and that the treatment of these patients demands an integral approach derived from the combined nature of the pathology . It was shown that multiple coexisting diseases have a negative effect both on the course of osteoarthritis (OA) and its concomitant ailments, including higher risk of polypharmacy and death. Extra attention is paid to slow-acting symptomatic drugs, which often have positive pleiotropic effects towards both the OA and the concomitant diseases. In particular, there is more and more research showing evidence of the beneficial effects of chondroitin sulfate both on the OA treatment effectiveness as well as on the terms of cardiometabolic prognosis, mitigation of glucose metabolism deficiency and mortality. 

Depending on the presence of laboratory biomarkers: rheumatoid factor IgM and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP), “seropositive” and “seronegative” variants of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are distinguished. Immunological subtypes differ in risk factors, immunopathogenesis, and the course of the disease. A review of data concerning immunology and clinical features of ACCP-negative rheumatoid arthritis is presented. The presence of ACCP in the peripheral blood reflects the progressive erosive process with a predominance of the inflammatory component and involvement of the B cells. Proliferative changes predominate in the ACCPnegative subtype; disorders associated with the T-cell link, primarily with CD4+ T-lymphocytes, play an important role in pathogenesis. This variant of the disease is characterized by a less pronounced erosive process, but the inflammatory activity in both subtypes of RA can be comparable. Early diagnosis, regular monitoring of the disease activity and the «treat to target» strategy are recommended for both positive and negative ACCP RA, however, the effectiveness of individual drugs in these subtypes may vary significantly. 

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of UPA in RA patients in real clinical practice after 3 and 6 months of therapy.

Material and methods. The study included 63 RA patients with high activity of the disease. Activity was assessed according to the DAS28 (ESR), DAS28 (CR P), SDAI, CDAI; functional ability to HAQ; quality of life to the EQ-5D; disease activity according to the patient’s RAPID-3 index; the level of depression and anxiety to the HADS scale. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated after 3 (n=45) and 6 (n=31) months of UPA therapy.

Results. Remission or low activity of the disease by 3 months of therapy was achieved by most patients: remission of 69.8% of patients, low activity of the disease – 16.3% of patients. Moderate or high activity persisted in 13.9% of patients. By the 6th month of UPA therapy, the number of remissions reached 90% , low activity – 3.3%, moderate activity persisted in 6.7% of patients, high activity of the disease was not in any patient. 20% improvement in function was achieved in 71.8% of patients by the 3rd month of therapy and in 77.8% – by the 6th month of treatment; the difference in average HAQ values by the 3rd month of therapy was 0.38 points, by the 6th month – 0.58 points. After 3 months of follow-up, 31.1% of patients continued taking GC, by 6 months – 24.2%. The dose of GC was reduced from an average of 7.23 mg/d to 5.6 mg/d. The percentage of patients requiring NSAIDs decreased from 95.2% to 35.6% and 33.3%, respectively. DMARDs continued to be received by 75.6% of patients by 3 months and 69.7% by 6 months of follow-up.

Conclusion. Achieving remission or low activity of the disease in patients with RA receiving UPA in real clinical practice is possible in most patients. A rapid decrease in inflammatory activity is accompanied by a significant improvement in the functional state and quality of life of patients. UPA therapy reduces the need for the use of NSAIDs and reduces the dose of GC in a third of patients. 

Objective – to study the effect of tofacitinib (TOFA) on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients (pts) activity in real clinical practice.

Material and methods. Included 41 patients, predominantly men (58.9%), with a reliable diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) according to the CASPAR criteria (2006), and signed informed consent to participate in the study. Mean age – 43.0±10.1 years, PsA duration – 18.6±10.4 years, psoriasis duration – 7.7±7.1 years, disease activity according to DAPSA (Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis) – 44.2±17. At the initial visit, after 3 and 6 months, all patients underwent a standard rheumatological examination. The tender joint number (TJN) out of 68, the swollen joints number (SJN) out of 66 were evaluated, the DAPSA index was calculated, C-reactive protein (CRP, mg/dL), ESR (mm/h), patients with enthesitis and dactylitis in %. The prevalence and severity of psoriasis was determined by BSA (Body Surface Area). Among PROs, the severity of joint pain and disease activity were assessed according to the patient’s opinion of patient global assessment (PtGA) and pain using the visual analogue scale VAS (0–100 mm, respectively), HAQ, RAPID-3, DLQI, PsAID-12. All patients included in the study were prescribed TOFA 5 mg twice a day, followed by a possible increase in the dose to 10 mg twice a day. Also, after 3 and 6 months from the start of therapy, the PASS index (Patient-Acceptable Symptom State) was evaluated, i. e. symptom score below which the patient considers himself healthy, which corresponds to a total PsAID-12 score˂ 4 points and minimal clinically significant improvement (MCID, Minimal Clinical Improvement Disease – change in total PsAID-12 by 3 points).

Results. In the whole group, DAPSA was 44.2±17.1, most patients (87.8%) had high PsA activity. By month 3/6 of follow-up, DAPSA significantly decreased to 15.2±12.4/11.8±9.4 (for all p<0.0001). By month 3/6 of TOFA therapy, there was a significant positive trend in all PROs (PtGA Pain, PtGA, BASDAI, HAQ, RAPID-3, FACIT-F, DLQI). Prior to therapy, PsAID-12 was 5.18±2.14. By month 3/6, PsAID-12 significantly decreased to 2.07±1.65/1.68±1.48 (for all p><0.0001). By the 6th month of therapy, MCID was noted in 90.2% of patients. Prior to the start of therapy, PASS was observed in 25.6% of patients. By month 3/6, the number of patients achieving PASS significantly increased to 66.7/71.8%, respectively (for all p><0.0001). By month 3/6 of TOFA therapy, there was a significant positive trend in all PROs (PtGA Pain, PtGA, BASDAI, HAQ, RAPID-3, FACIT-F, DLQI). Prior to therapy, PsAID-12 was 5.18±2.14. By month 3/6, PsAID-12 significantly decreased to 2.07±1.65/1.68±1.48 (for all p<0.0001). By the 6th month of therapy, MCID was noted in 90.2% of patients. Prior to the start of therapy, PASS was observed in 25.6% of patients. By month 3/6, the number of patients achieving PASS significantly increased to 66.7/71.8%, respectively (for all p><0.0001). By the 6th month of therapy, MCID was noted in 90.2% of patients. Prior to the start of therapy, PASS was observed in 25.6% of patients. By month 3/6, the number of patients achieving PASS significantly increased to 66.7/71.8%, respectively (for all p<0.0001).

Conclusion. TOFA therapy for 6 months leads not only to a significant decrease in PsA activity, but also to an improvement in overall health according to the patient, assessed by PROs scales and questionnaires (PtGA Pain, PtGA, BASDAI, HAQ, RAPID-3, FACIT-F, DLQI). Dynamics of PsAID-12 shows the achievement of MCID in most patients. Positive dynamics is observed already by the 3rd month of treatment. 

Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare complex autoinflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The main problem, practitioners have been facing with when researching AOSD, is the lack of developed approaches to assessing the activity of the disease. Traditionally used standard markers of inflammation do not always reflect the real activity of AOSD, especially when a patient is already receiving anti-inflammatory therapy. The article presents original data on the study of biomarkers: interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), ferritin, glycosylated ferritin, calprotectin, procalcitonin compared with C-reactive protein, leukocyte and neutrophil counts in patients with moderate and high activity of AOSD. The relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and the Pouchot systemic score was evaluated to identify promising laboratory indicators of disease activity. 

Objective – to identify obesity/overweight phenotypes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on the body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels assessment, and to clarify the relationship of these phenotypes with different metabolic disorders.

Material and methods. The study included 51 patients with SLE (48 women, 3 men) without diabetes mellitus. The median age of patients was 40 [31; 48] years, disease duration was 3.0 [0.6; 9.0] years. Glucocorticoids were received by 84% of patients, hydroxychloroquine – by 76%, immunosuppressants – by 20%, biological agents – by 10%. BMI was calculated and the fasting leptin level in serum was determined (ELISA) in all patients. Leptin concentrations >11.1 ng/ml in women and >5.6 ng/ml in men corresponded to hyperleptinaemia. There were three main obesity/overweight phenotypes: “classic” (BMI≥25 kg/m2 + hyperleptinemia), “healthy” (BMI≥25 kg/m2 , without hyperleptinemia), “hidden” or “latent” (BMI<25 kg/m2 + hyperleptinemia), as well as “normal weight” (BMI><25 kg/m2 , without hyperleptinemia).>˂ 25 kg/m2 + hyperleptinemia), as well as “normal weight” (BMI˂ 25 kg/m2 , without hyperleptinemia).

Results. The “classic” phenotype of obesity/overweight was diagnosed in 22 (43%) patients, the “healthy” – in 1 (2%), the “hidden” – in 14 (27.5%) patients with SLE. Insulin concentrations were: 10.0 [7.5; 17.9] μU/mL in the “classic” phenotype, 8.3 [6.0; 11.9] μU/mL in the “hidden” phenotype, and 5.3 [4.2; 6.3] μU/ml at “normal weight” (p=0.001). HOMA-IR index were: 2.18 [1.70; 4.23], 1.78 [1.23; 2.41] and 1.18 [0.95; 1.52], respectively (p=0.002). The levels of glucose, total cholesterol, ApoB did not differ in the groups. The uric acid concentrations were the highest in the “classic” phenotype group (334 [365; 388] μmol/l), the lowest in the group of “hidden” obesity/overweight (257 [214; 296] μmol/l), and intermediate in “normal weight” group (286 [236; 377] μmol/l) (p=0.04).

Conclusion. The majority of SLE patients hade the “classic” obesity/overweight phenotype, while the “healthy” phenotype was extremely rare. In 27.5% of patients, the presence of a “latent” phenotype was confirmed, which, in terms of metabolic disorders, is an intermediate stage between “normal weight” and “classic” obesity. For rational and timely prevention of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and related complications, it is necessary to actively identify the “hidden” phenotype. 

The study of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), not included in the Sydney diagnostic criteria, in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is poorly understood.

The aim of this study – to determine the clinical significance of IgG antibody testing for domain I β2 -glycoprotein 1 (β2 -GP1DI) – IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI in patients with APS with and without SLE.

Materials and methods. The study included 187 patients with APS with or without SLE, 49 patients formed a comparison group, and 100 relatively healthy individuals formed a control group. IgG/IgM antibodies to cardiolipin and IgG/ IgM anti-β2 -GP1 were determined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) in patients with or without APS, and IgG antiβ2 -GP1DI was determined by chemiluminescence assay in all patients and controls.

Results. IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI was detected in 37 (71%) of 52 patients with primary APS (PAPS), in 6 (50%) of 12 patients with probable APS, in 42 (71%) of 59 patients with SLE+APS, in 17 (26%) of 64 patients with SLE, in 1 (2%) of comparison group and in none of control group. IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI was significantly associated with PAPS and SLE+APS compared with patients with SLE (p=0.0002 and p=0.0001, respectively). The association of IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI with clinical manifestations of APS (thrombosis (χ2 =9.69; p=0.001) and obstetric pathology (χ2 =4.19; p=0.04)) was detected. There was a significant association of IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI with arterial thrombosis (χ2 =8.84; p=0.002) and with late gestational obstetric pathology (χ2 =6.35; p=0.01). High specificity of IgG anti-β2 - GP1DI depending on the diagnosis and clinical manifestations of APS was noted despite low sensitivity: specificity for thrombosis was 84%, for obstetric pathology – 94%, for APS – 89%. Isolated IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI positivity was reported in 2% of 50 aPL negative patients and was not associated with APS manifestations.

Conclusion. The frequency of IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI detection was higher in patients with APS compared to patients with SLE, comparison group and control (p<0.05). Positive IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI values were significantly associated with thrombotic complications and with obstetric pathology (χ2 =8.84; p=0.002 and χ2 =6.35; p=0.01). Specificity>˂ 0.05). Positive IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI values were significantly associated with thrombotic complications and with obstetric pathology (χ2 =8.84; p=0.002 and χ2 =6.35; p=0.01). Specificity of IgG anti-β2 -GP1DI for APS and its clinical manifestations (thrombosis and obstetric pathology) was higher than sensitivity: 89%, 94%, and 84%, respectively. 

The aim – to determine the possibility of identifying individuals with osteoporosis using asynchronous computed quantitative tomography (CT) of the proximal femur by comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DХA).

Materials and methods. The study included 40 postmenopausal women and 6 men over 50 years old (Me of age – 72.5 [65.3; 77.7] years) referred by the attending physician for densitometric examination. The patients signed an informed consent. The measurements were performed on a DXA with a narrow fan beam (Lunar Prodigy Advance, GE Healthcare, USA), and QCT on the Aquilion 64 (Canon Medical Systems, Japan). Correlation analysis and comparison of projected bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), measurement area and T-score using the Blend – Altman method were carried out.

Results. A statistically significant correlations were revealed between the indicators of DXA and asynchronous QCT: for femoral neck BMD r=0.93; for the T-score r=0.93; for the total hip – r=0.91 and r=0.91 respectively. When conducting the analysis using the Blend – Altman method, it was found that the QCT underestimated the value of the femoral neck BMC (bias –0.923 g), covered a smaller area of interest (bias 0.376 cm2 ), and therefore there was a shift in the values of BMD by –0.224 g/cm2 . The value of the T-score for the femoral neck had bias –0.29 standard deviations (SD), and for the total hip –0.72 SD, which were statistically significant.

Conclusions. There was a high correlation between quantitative indicators of bone tissue of the proximal hip, assessed using QCT and DXA. The BMD and T-score values for the femoral neck and the total hip at QCT were lower compared to the values of the DXA results. Considering the conducted research, it is recommended that when introducing asynchronous QCT into clinical practice to identify people with osteoporosis, a synchronous phantom should be pre-scanned to compare the QCT and DXA results, followed by adjusting the BMD and T-score values for QCT by the average difference between them. 

Objective – to investigate cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) depending on rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity in hypertensive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Subjects and methods. A single cross-sectional study included 61 patients (mean age 59.8±7.7 years; 6 men and 55 women) with combined RA and grade 1–2 hypertension (HTN). The duration of RA was 11.2±7.4 years. The duration of HTN was 12.1±8.6 years. All patients were treated with methotrexate. RA patients were categorized into RF/ACPA seronegative and RF/ACPA seropositive subgroups. CVR was evaluated by bilateral transcranial Doppler sonography of the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) in a hyperoxic test (O2 CVR) and in a hypercapnic test (CO2 CVR). We measured MCA mean blood flow velocity (Vmn), time average maximal blood flow velocity (TAMX), peak systolic velocity (Vps) at baseline, within 2 minutes of 100% oxygen inhalation and within 3 minutes of recovery phase (hyperoxic test). We calculated the following indicators for assessing CVR: index changes of flow velocity mean (IFVm), speed modification of velocity (SMFVm) and normalized answer of reserve (NAR). Then, according to the same scheme, we performed a hypercapnic test with the inhalation of a 4% mixture of carbon dioxide with air. Values are presented as Me [Q1 ; Q3 ].

Results and discussion. Hypertensive patients with RA had a decrease in response power of MCA blood flow to hyperoxia. RF-seropositive RA patients had a more pronounced decrease in the power of the response to hyperoxia compared with RF-seronegative RA patients. The values of IFVm in the hyperoxic test were –13.4 [–19.9; –0.9] versus –16.2 [–22.7; –13.4]% (р=0.0453), respectively. ACPA-seropositive RA patients had not only a more pronounced decrease in the power of the response of MCA blood flow to hyperoxia, but also a more pronounced slowdown in the response velocity of MCA blood flow to hyperoxia compared with ACPA-seronegative RA patients. The values of IFVm in the hyperoxic test were –9.74 [–15.9; 2.84] versus –20.9 [–25.0; –14.7]% (р=0.0062), the values of SMFVm were –0.05 [–0.09; 0.02] versus –0.09 [–0.20; –0.05] sm/s2 (р=0.0488) respectively. Combined RA and HTN patients had a decrease in response power of MCA blood flow to hypercapnia. However, no statistical differences were found in the state of CO2 CVR between patients with seropositive RA and seronegative RA.

Conclusion. Hypertensive patients with seropositive RA have a more pronounced O2 CVR disorder in compared to seronegative RA patients. 

It is assumed that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with gout is influenced by both generally accepted risk factors and factors related to gout.

Objective. To evaluate the impact of various risk factors for T2DM in patients with gout.

Material and methods. 444 patients (49 women, 395 men) ≥18 years old with gout and without DM were included. Duration of observation was 5.66 [2.69; 7.64] g. To identify factors associated with the risk of developing T2DM, multivariate logistic regression was used, which included: sex; T2DM in relatives; insufficient physical activity; unbalanced diet; age ≥45 years; ≥4 attacks per year; presence of tophi; BMI≥30 kg/m2 ; allopurinol, febuxostat, glucocorticoids, diuretics, metformin, colchicine; GFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 ; serum uric acid level (sUA) ≥420 μmol/l and ≥480 μmol/l. Results. T2DM developed in 108 (24.3%) patients. According to the multivariate model, the presence of ≥4 attacks of arthritis per year increased the risk of T2DM (OR=5.23; 95% CI: 2.98–9.19; p=0.0001); presence of tophi (OR=2.61; 95% CI: 1.50–4.54; p=0.001); sUA≥480 μmol/l (OR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.02–5.00; p=0.144), diuretics (OR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.19–4.64; p=0.014). Febuxostat (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.11–0.84; p=0.022) and metformin (OR=0.49; 95% CI: 0.21–1.16; p=0.107) reduced the risk of developing T2DM. Conclusion. Risk of T2DM in patients with gout is associated with high incidence of arthritis attacks, MK≥480 μmol/l, hypertension, diuretic use, and febuxostat and metformin reduces risk. Key words: gout, type 2 diabetes mellitus, uric acid>˂ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 ; serum uric acid level (sUA) ≥420 μmol/l and ≥480 μmol/l.

Results. T2DM developed in 108 (24.3%) patients. According to the multivariate model, the presence of ≥4 attacks of arthritis per year increased the risk of T2DM (OR=5.23; 95% CI: 2.98–9.19; p=0.0001); presence of tophi (OR=2.61; 95% CI: 1.50–4.54; p=0.001); sUA≥480 μmol/l (OR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.02–5.00; p=0.144), diuretics (OR=2.35; 95% CI: 1.19–4.64; p=0.014). Febuxostat (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.11–0.84; p=0.022) and metformin (OR=0.49; 95% CI: 0.21–1.16; p=0.107) reduced the risk of developing T2DM.

Conclusion. Risk of T2DM in patients with gout is associated with high incidence of arthritis attacks, MK≥480 μmol/l, hypertension, diuretic use, and febuxostat and metformin reduces risk. 

One of the methods of treating severe forms of systemic scleroderma is hematopoietic stem-cell autotransplantation (auto-HSCT). The article describes two clinical cases of auto-HSCT followed by rituximab (RTM) therapy in patients with diffuse systemic scleroderma with progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD), high immunological activity, high skin score, and an unfavorable prognosis. The assessment of the course of these diseases was carried out in the course of dynamic observation of patients for 10–11 years. In all cases, auto-HSCT followed by RTM made it possible to achieve remission / low activity, as well as to stabilize the progressive of ILD.