19 pts with reactive arthritis of urogenital origin, 3 with ankylosing spondylitis, 4 with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, 4 with psoriatic arthritis and 8 with rheumatoid arthritis were included. Synovial tissue biopsies obtained during arthroscopy of 37 knee and 1 shoulder joints were examined by method of isolation in McCoy cell culture to reveal viable Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia was isolated in 16 from 38 synovial tissue biopsies in all nosologic forms of arthritis except ankylosing spondylitis. In most cases Chlamydia isolation from synovial tissue coincided with presence of urogenital chlamydiosis

To study features of bacterial infections course in pts with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and changes of laboratory measures after focus of infection sanation. Material and methods. 46 pts with definite rheumatoid arthritis were examined at the time of comorbid infection (Cl) detection and after infection focus sanation. Bacteriological test with evaluation of flora sensitivity to antibiotics by disco-diffusion method was performed at baseline and after the course of antibacterial therapy to assess its efficacy. Hemogram, serum fibrinogen, rheumatoid factor, circulating immune complexes (CIC), C-reactive protein levels were assessed. Serum interleukin (IL) 1(3, IL6 and neopterin concentrations were examined by immune-enzyme assay in a part of pts. Typical clinical features of Cl were present in only 28 (60,9%) pts. 13 (28,3%) pts had fever, 12 (26,0%) — leukocytosis, 15 (32,6%) — changes of leucocyte populations. Some laboratory measures (thrombocytes, fibrinogen, CIC, neopterin levels) significantly decreased (p<0,05) after infection focus sanation without correction of disease modifying therapy. Cl quite often develop as asymptomatic processes most often in pts with high activity and can induce disturbances promoting appearance of endothelial dysfunction, atherothrombosis and reduction of life duration. So timely detection and proper sanation of infection focuses should be performed in pts with RA

62 pts with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were included. Neopterin changes dependence on RA clinical course and duration, acute phase markers (ESR, CRP) changes, presence of IgG and IgM rheumatoid factors, autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide as well as neopterin prognostic significance were evaluated. Immuno-inflammatory process presentation in RA was most often accompanied by elevation of neopterin serum concentration associated with more severe clinical course of early RA, significant antibody formation and radiological progression. These data can prove prognostic significance and utility of neopterin evaluation in early RA.

To standardize general quality of life (QL) questionnaire SF-36 scales and calculate population scale measures depending on respondents sex and age. Material and methods. Standardized QL measures of all SF-36 questionnaire scales were calculated in 3400 respondents of 5 centers of Russian Federation stratified according to sex and age. Results. Male population had better QL measures than female (p<0,0001) in all SF-36 questionnaire scales. QL measures of physical, role and physical functioning scales in respondents younger than 45 years of age were above mean values. In this age group pain did not have a significant influence on QL. Health general state was above mean level in respondents younger than 35 years. Regardless of sex they had higher social activity and vital capacity scale measures. Male mental health was higher than mean values till 75 years of age. In women these measures decreased beginning from 35 years of age. Conclusion. Reference base of SF-36 questionnaire standardized measures population values can be used for comparison of QL of pts with different diseases according to age and sex as well as for treatment efficacy assessment in scientific studies.

To assess speed of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect appearance of nimesulid and diclofenac sodium tablets in gout arthritis. 90 male pts with gout were included in an open clinical study. They were randomly assigned into three groups (30 pts in each). Group 1 pts received nimesulid tablets (Nise) 100 mg twice a day, group 2 pts — tablets of an other nimesulid preparation and group 3 pts — diclofenac sodium 75 mg twice a day. Duration of treatment was 7 days. Nise significantly earlier provided anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, gout arthritis, nimesulid, period till effect appearance, tolerability.

To study effect of drainage blood reinfusion in early postoperative period (EPP) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. Primary THA was performed in 51 RA pts with hip damage (49 female, 2 male aged from 26 to 68 years). 42 THA were performed with “Endosystems and Implants” (ESI) endoprosthesis, and 21 — with “Mathys” endoprosthesis. The pts were divided into two groups. Standard infusion-transfusion therapy with donor blood components was performed in group 1 pts (n=26) to compensate blood loss in EPP. In group 2 pts (n=25) drainage blood reinfusion was done with active aspiration system Handy Vac TM ATS (Unomedical). Group 1 pts had more prominent circulatory and neurologic disturbances in EPP: hypodynamic variant of circulation with elevation of peripheral vascular resistance till 5-7 day of postoperative period, prominent hypersympathicotonia and a large number of posttransfusion reactions. Evaluation of hemodynamic and vegetative disturbances showed advantage of blood loss compensation and vegetative disturbances normalization with drainage blood reinfusion in EPP after THA in comparison with standard pts management.

Joint syndrome evolution was prospectively followed up in a 49-year-old woman who had serum hepatitis in 1990. When she came to a rheumatologist for the first time in 1999 she complained of occasional joint pain. She did not have joint inflammatory changes at that time but chronic hepatitis С was revealed at the examination. Hepatitis С diagnosis was confirmed by morphological and repeated virological evaluations. During antiviral treatment the pt developed symmetrical polyarthritis involving hand joints. Elevation of cryoglobuline, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies level was revealed. During the next year polyarthritis recurred and later acquired undulatory course with periods of exacerbation and stabilization. Attempts of treatment with sulfasalazine failed due to transaminase elevation. In 2006 ulnar deviation appeared and rheumatoid factor level remained elevated. MRI showed multiple erosions of carpal bones. Considering features of joint syndrome development joint damage in this pt was regarded as arthritis associated with chronic hepatitis C.