[Natural remedies in rheumatic diseases]. / Prirodni ljekoviti cinitelji u reumatskim bolestima.

The natural remedies and their use in rheumatic diseases are described. The list of active Croatian health resorts and the role of central institute for balneology and climatology are pointed out.

The prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sixty patients with early diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis according ARA criteria were followed up for 6.6 years with the goal to determine prognosis. The parameters relevant to patient and physician were selected for follow up. Radiological and functional deterioration was evident after 6.6 years in 3/4 of patients and there was no one of them to satisfy remission criteria. The most unfavourable predictor of final outcome was the degree of functional incapacity in early stage of rheumatoid arthritis. Second important predictor of poor prognosis was degree of radiological destructive changes especially on feet. Poor prognosis could be expected in patients with previous attacks and the beginning of disease in elderly age. General symptoms and affection of mesomelic joints can be also undesirable predictor. Sex, morning stiffness, joint pattern, laboratory findings and rheumatoid factor were not significant predictors for prognosis but they could influence certain variables of global assessment.

[Registry for rheumatic diseases in Croatia. Initial results of a computer analysis]. / Registar za reumatske bolesti Hrvatske. Prvi rezultati kompjuterske obrade.

The preliminary results of computer analysis of data from the Register of Rheumatic Diseases in Croatia are presented. Register has started on January 1st, 1980. There were received nearly 10,000 registration cards till the end of 1986. The data were stored on magnetic disc of IBM 4331 computer. On the basis of data from 1980-1984 the frequencies of some rheumatic diseases were received. It is necessary to continue the work of Register.