A total of 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with systemic manifestations were investigated on the basis of a joint program in the Institute of Rheumatology, AMS, USSR, and in the Polyclinic Medical Institute (Leipzig), GDR. RA systemic manifestations were described, their diagnostic signs presented. Modern instrumental methods for the detection of RA manifestations before the development of their clinical picture (echocardiography, computed tomography, electrophysiological methods for a study of the peripheral nervous system) were assessed. Analysis of correlations between various RA manifestations and laboratory findings permitted the detection of peculiarities of the onset and a course of disease in the study group. The results will contribute to the early detection of systemic RA manifestations.
Arm/innervation , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis , Leg/innervation , Polyneuropathies/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Polyneuropathies/etiology , Rheumatoid Nodule/diagnosis
Altogether 12 patients were treated by the hemocarboperfusion method and 20 patients with systemic symptoms by the hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) method. Positive results were obtained and it made it possible to recommend the above methods for multimodality therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with systemic symptoms. A severe, rapidly progressive course of rheumatoid arthritis with the development of various systemic symptoms, a high titer of the rheumatoid factor should serve as an indication for hemocarboperfusion. HBO is found appropriate in such systemic symptoms as ischemic polyneuropathy, digital arteritis, trophic ulcers and Raynaud's syndrome.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy , Hemoperfusion , Hyperbaric Oxygenation , Adult , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Charcoal , Female , Humans , Male , Polyneuropathies/therapy , Raynaud Disease/therapy , Skin Ulcer/therapy
