RESUMO
The course of the main chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints was analyzed with special reference to the rural region of Georgia. 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 13 with ankylosing spondylarthritis, and 6 with reactive arthritis are registered and followed up by the rheumatologist. It is shown that the population of the region in question is characterized by a later onset of RA, a high percentage of the seronegative variety of the disease with involvement of the hand joints, and ankylosing of the carpal joints. The males demonstrate a low activity of the process. Since RA ran a benign course, the patients were only treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The RA patients preserved work fitness for a long time. Ankylosing spondylarthritis was marked by the primary injury to the spine associated with the development of ankylosis and calcification of the ligamentous apparatus without a well-defined spinal deformity. Large-scale examination of the population of the region has shown the necessity of such measures for they permit identification of new cases of the disease to carry out early adequate treatment and specialized employment of the patients.