[Changes in thyroid function in systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis]. / Poremecaji funkcije stitnjace kod sistemskog eritematoznog lupusa, progresivne sistemne skleroze i reumatoidnog artritisa.

According to frequent thyroid function disorders in systemic connective tissue diseases a group of 380 patients were analysed - 70 with systemic erythematous lupus (SLE), 31 with progressive systemic scleris (PSS) and 270 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay technique and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) chronologically by monoclonal antibody technique and thereafter by fluoroimmunoassay. Thyreopahty was found at 15 patients with SLE (21.43%), 11 patients with PSS (35.48%) and 35 patients with RA (12.54%). Our results pointed out the significant frequency of thyroid function disorders in these diseases and imply the necessity of the routine thyroid function follow up, therefore to take adequate cure in due time.

[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA)--in patients with connective tissue diseases]. / Antineutrofilna citoplazmatska autoantitijela (ANCA)--u bolesnika sa sustavnim bolestima vezivnog tkiva.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) attack primary cytoplasmic granules of neutrophil leukocytes and lysosomes of monocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence technique distinguished two types of ANCA: genuine of cytoplasmic (c-ANCA) and perinuclear (p-ANCA). ANCA were followed up at patients with systemic connective tissue diseases who underwent a treatment at Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of Clinical Hospital Osijek. p-ANCA were found at 15 patients. Its titre dependent upon the stage of the disease. This very finding pointed out the importance of ANCA not only as a valid additional diagnostic factor but as a strong prognostic marker in particular systemic connective tissue diseases as well.