Risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for osteoporosis (OP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods. We observed 110 patients with a verified diagnosis of RA. RA was diagnosed based on the 2010 EULAR/ACR clinical classification. All patients with RA were divided into 2 groups: with ОP (53 patients) and without ОP signs (57 patients). Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray densitometry (DEXA), the diagnosis was made on the basis of WHO recommendations. All patients underwent a standard clinical and laboratory examination, in addition the following parameters were studied: 25-OH vitamin D, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-1), N-terminal propeptide of procollagen I (P1NP) content in the blood, the ratio of calcium to urine creatinine. Results. We found a statistically significant relationship between the presence of ОP and the following clinical signs: patient weight (р = 0.014), duration of RA course (р = 0.024), and the presence of erosive changes (р = 0.014). In addition, a relationship was found between the presence of OP and lower BMD in the Ward area (Ward) and the greater trochanter area (Troch) (р < 0.0001). It was also shown that taking glucocorticosteroid drugs for more than 3 months significantly increases the risk of developing ОP (р < 0.0001). Conclusions. Identification of risk groups for patients at risk for the development of OP is of great practical importance. The factors given in the article can be adjusted towards normalization in order to reduce the degree of possible risk, which is quite feasible in practice

Body composition and serum fetuin-A levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background. Rheumatoid cachexia is a pathological condition which appears in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low fat-free mass and normal or high body mass index. Bone mass loss is one of the components of rheumatoid cachexia. Fetuin-A, a major noncollagen protein of bone tissue, regulates bone remodeling. Aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of rheumatoid cachexia and the association of serum fetuin-A level with body composition components in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Material and methods. 110 patients (8 male and 102 female) with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled in our study. Serum fetuin-A level was determined by ELISA. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry with Total Body program was performed. The diagnosis of rheumatoid cachexia was based on the next criteria: fat-free mass index less than 10th percentiles with fat mass index above 25th percentiles. Results and discussion. We observed rheumatoid cachexia in 25 patients (22,7 %). According to the literature, such patients have an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, arterial hypertension and mortality. Positive significant (p < 0,05) correlations were observed between serum fetuin-A levels and right and left lower limb, trunk, gynoid region, both lower limbs and total body bone mass. No statistically significant relationships with other indicators were identified. Fetuin-A negative dynamic in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be accompanied by the loss of bone mass, which requires the improvement of therapeutic approach. Conclusions. Almost a quarter of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatic cachexia. Positive correlation between serum fetuin-A levels and lower limbs, trunk, gynoid region and total body bone mass was observed

EXPERIENCE WITH RAPTEN RAPID USING IN THE TREATMENT OF ARTICULAR SYNDROME IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Summary Our aim was to study the clinical efjicacy of Rapten rapid, its effect on the activity of inflammatory process, parameters of immunity in rheumatoid arthritis as compared with other widely used NSAIDs: sodium diclofenac, Indometacin, Ibuprofen and also to clarify the mechanism of action of above drugs. The study included 110 RA patients which were divided into 4 groups. Pts of the I s' group toolc Rapten rapid (n=50), 2 ml - sodium diclofenac (n—20), 3d - Indometacin (n—20), 4' h - Ibuprofen (n—20). Al the result of the study it was found that Rapten rapid effectively reduces pain syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis, does not give preference to other anti-inflammatory drugs on analgetic and anti-inflammatory effect, has positive influence on laboratory indices of inflammation rendering thus more speedy analgetic effect demonstrated averagely 2 days faster as compared with other NSAJDs. Frequency of side-effects during Rapten rapid application does not reliably differ from other NSAIDs. Rapten rapid possesses immunomodulatory effect demonstrated by decreasing the level of serum IgA, activity of 5‘nucleotidase in lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and myeloperoxidase in monocytes

Osteopenia prevalence in ankylosing spondylitis and its correction with alphacalcidol

Objective. To study osteoporosis (OP) and osteopenia prevalence in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by ultrasonographic densitometry of heel bone. Results. Examination of 84 pts showed decrease of bone mineral density in 47,62%. OP and osteopenia were more frequent in pts with high activity and advanced radiological stage of the disease, prominent articular syndrome, visceral pathology, longer disease duration, low body mass index, oral glucocorticoid treatment. In pts with OP and osteopenia markers of osteogenesis (osteocalcin total alkaline phosphatase) were in normal limits but osteoresorption indices (cross-laps, urine calcium) were increased. Treatment with alphacalcidol provided significant improvement of bone mineral density, decrease of bone pain and increase of muscular power. Pts of control group receiving calcium 1000 mg/day as monotherapy showed OP progression. Conclusion. Alphacalcidol 0,5-1,0 mg/day can be considered as drug of choice for the treatment of OP and osteopenia in pts with AS

CLINICAL-PATHOGENIC IMPORTANCE OF CORRELATION BETWEEN HISTOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BLOOD SYSTEM AND RHEUMATOID FACTOR IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Summary Relation between rheumatoid factor (RF) and levels of Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Na*-K +-A TPh- ase (ATPh-ase), 5'-Nucleotidase (5 ’-NT), Succinate dehydrogenase (SDG) in cells of peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was investigated. 83 RA patients were observed. The activities of MPO, ATP-ase, 5’NT, SDG in blood cells were determined by hystochemical methods. In patients having increasing MPO activity in monocytes, normal level of SDG in lymphocytes and decreasing of 5'NT in monocytes and lymphocytes increasing of RF level was noted in 3 weeks after hystochemical changes (p<0.05). Determination of MPO in monocytes was the most informative test for forecasting of immunological changes in RA. The role of macrophage system in RA is discussed

gonarthrosis; therapy; Karmolis gel.

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy, tolerance, and safety of Carmolis topical gel in patients with gonarthrosis. Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 60 patients with knee osteoarthrosis (OA) who were divided into two groups: 1) 40 patients received Carmolis topical gel in addition to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); 2) 20 patients took NSAIDS only (a control group). The treatment duration was 2 weeks. In both groups, therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated from changes in the WOMAC index, pain intensity at rest and during movement by the visual analog scale (VAS). The disease activity was also assessed by a physician and a patient (a Likert scale), local swelling and hyperthermia of the affected joint, the efficiency of treatment, and daily needs for NSAIDs were deter- mined. Results. The performed treatment in both patent groups showed positive clinical changes. Combination therapy involving Carmolis gel displayed greater reductions in WOMAC pain and resting and movement pain than in the con- trol group (as assessed by VAS). On completion of the investigation, considerable improvement was, in the physicians' opinion, noted in 38 (95%) patients using Carmolis, which coincided with self-evaluations of the patients. During Carmolis application, the starting dose of NSAIDs could be reduced in 18 (45%) patients. Adverse reactions occurred infrequently and required no therapy discontinuation. Conclusion. Carmolis topical gel is effective in relieving clinical symptoms in patients with gonarthrosis, well tolerated, and safe, which can recommend its use in the combination treatment of knee OA

SERUM FETUIN-A LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the second most common rheumatic disease. In recent decades, there has been an active search for and study of biologically active substances involved in the pathogenesis of RA, which can serve as a starting point in designing new drugs for targeted therapy of this disease. The hepatokine fetuin-A (FA) is one of these substances.Objective: to investigate serum FA levels in patients with RA.Subjects and methods. The investigation enrolled 110 patients with RA. All the patients underwent the following set of studies: general blood test and determination of the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum FA, rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, cartilage degradation products (CartiLaps), and urine creatinine. A control group consisted of 30 apparently healthy individuals whose serum FA level was determined in order to obtain reference values.Results and discussion. The normal FA level varied from 653.55 to 972.19 μg/ml. All the patients with RA were divided into two groups: 1) 23 patients with a low FA level (<653.55 μg/ml) and 2) 87 patients with a normal FA levels (≥653.55 μg/ml). The groups differed significantly in anti-CCP antibody concentrations, disease activity, radiological stages, functional classes, and the presence of complications. Patients with lower FA levels were noted to have increased CRP concentrations, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CartiLaps/urine creatinine ratio. The mean FA concentration was considerably and significantly lower in patients with higher DAS28 scores. Conclusion. Our investigation has revealed that there is a relationship between the levels of FA and the individual clinical manifestations of RA. The lower FA level is associated with higher disease activity and the aggressive phenotype of RA (the presence of anti-CCP antibodies, radiological stages III and IV, extra-articular manifestations and complications)

THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF CARMOLIS GEL IN THE COMBINATION THERAPY OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: RESULTS OF A MULTICENTER CLINICAL TRIAL

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common rheumatic diseases. Knee OA is particularly frequently encountered among all forms of OA, the prevalence of knee OA being about 25% in the general population. Despite multiple guidelines for the management of knee OA, which have been prepared by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI), many problems of its treatment policy remain to be solved. The same holds true for not only the symptomatic and disease-modifying effects of chondroprotectors, but also topical therapy options.Objective: to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Carmolis gel in patients with knee OA.Subjects and methods.The trial included 280 patients with knee OA (a study group consisted of 190 patents; a control group comprised 90 patients). The mean age was 58.3±9.3 years in the study group and 59±10.5 years in the control group. The disease duration was 10.3±5.5 and 10.1±4.1 years, respectively. Carmolis gel was applied to the region of the most painful knee joint up to 4–5 times daily, followed by massage of this skin area. The treatment cycle lasted for 2 weeks. No therapy was performed in the control patients. The clinical efficacy was determined by the changes in joint pains at rest or on movement and palpation, according to a visual analogue scale (VAS), WOMAC questionnaire, the synovitis intensity (assessed by ultrasonography), patient and physician global assessments of disease activity (Likert scale), and the possibility of reducing the daily dosage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The onset the therapeutic effect of the gel and the duration of its action were recorded.Results and discussion. The topical application of Carmolis gel caused a statistically significant reduction in joint pain at rest and on movement from 57.7±6.8 to 12±1.8 mm (р < 0.01) and from 52±5.3 to 17±2.7 mm, respectively (р<0.01). The WOMAC showed similar pain changes. In the study group, the WOMAC pain level averaged 210±20.5 mm at baseline and reduced to 101±12.8 mm after the treatment (p < 0.01).The control group also exhibited pain relief, but to a much lesser degree than did the study group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in motor and day-to-day activity changes. After treatment, the patients of both groups had reduction in the signs of synovitis; however, no differences were found between the groups. The dose of NSAIDs could be decreased in 99 (52.1%) of the 190 patients in the study group and only in 15 (16.6%) of the 90 patients in the control group (p<0.05). Carmolis gel was well tolerated. No adverse events were observed in 184 patients. Local cutaneous reactions and itch were noted in 6 (3.2%) patients; however, they were short-term and did not required drug discontinuation.Conclusion. The findings suggest that the incorporation of Carmolis gel into the combination therapy of OA ensures a significant reduction in joint pain and allows the dose of NSAIDS to be decreased, making the treatment safer

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: INTERDISCIPLINARY CONSENSUS

The main manifestation of joint and spine diseases, such as osteoarthritis, nonspecific back pain, and soft tissue rheumatic disorders, is musculoskeletal pain (MSP). It leads to considerable morbidity as well as temporary and permanent disability in millions of people of our country. These people need adequate medical care and most significantly a prompt and maximally complete analgesia. Unfortunately, serious problems are being faced in this field of medicine. The lack of a unified approach or continuity in the therapeutic process, inadequate knowledge of the pathogenesis of MSP and of the possibilities of its therapy may substantially hamper the work of practitioners.The meeting of Russian experts who were represented in different medical specialties and discussed the optimization of MSP treatment policy was held in Moscow on 20 June 2015. According to the results of the meeting, the authors identified the main points regarding the theoretical and practical aspects of MSP and also proposed an algorithm for the treatment of this pathology. It seems that the use of this algorithm will be able to facilitate the work of practitioners and to enhance the efficiency and safety of analgesic therapy

The ten-year probability of fractures with the FRAX tool: which threshold for intervention to be used and how?

Objective: to analyze the clinical and organizational feasibility of using different intervention thresholds for the Russian population.Subjects and methods. The probability of fractures using the Russian FRAX model was calculated on a sample of 3,866 postmenopausal female residents from 6 cities of the Russian Federation. Different intervention thresholds, including fixed (20% for major fractures and 3% for hip fractures), age-dependent (European and Russian) ones, as well as alternative models, were analyzed. The proportion of women to be treated was estimated using different intervention thresholds.Results and discussion. The analysis of the effectiveness of the thresholds showed that the European threshold was the least appropriate one for the formed sample, since more than half (53.6%) of the women to be treated using the threshold, while the vast majority (90%) of the patients were in the younger age groups (50—54 years). There were very similar results of the effectiveness analysis of the fixed threshold (according to the USA National Osteoporosis Foundation — NOF) recommendations and that of the age-dependent threshold for Russia (in the context of the national clinical recommendations). Using the NOF approach in our sample could identify 47.8% of the postmenopausal women to be treated for osteoporosis. Their proportion rose from 29.6% of the patients aged 50—54 years to 80.6% of those aged 85 years and older. The alternative analyses of age-dependent thresholds showed great effectiveness when the fracture was considered not as a risk factor for future fractures, but as a clinical disease manifestation that was sufficient to recommend that the patient should be treated without FRAX counting. However, with their use, the proportion of older people to be treated remains not high enough. In this connection, there remains a need to search for the more adequate application of the existing intervention threshold or to develop a new, for example, hybrid variant of the age-dependent threshold