[Bone mineral density in women with rheumatoid arthritis: A link between immune and biochemical markers].

AIM: To study the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with serum biochemical and immunological markers in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 173 women with RA (age 61.0 [56.0; 66.0] years). A survey, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure the BMD of the lumbar spine (LI-LIV), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH), routine blood chemistry, measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCPA), parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D3, myostatin, follistatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-6 receptors, insulin-like growth factor 1, adiponectin, leptin, fibroblast growth factor 23, and tumor necrosis factor SF12 were performed. RESULTS: PTH (ß=-0.22, -0.35 and -0.30 for LI-LIV, FN and TH, respectively), CRP (ß=-0.18, 0.23 and -0.22 for LI-LIV, FN and TH, respectively) and leptin (ß=0.35, 0.32 and 0.42 for LI-LIV, FN and TH, respectively) were shown a significant association with BMD in all sites of measurement. It was independent of age, body mass index and postmenopause duration. Associations were also found between adiponectin and BMD of LI-LIV and TH (ß=-0.36 and -0.28, respectively), CCPA and BMD of FN and TH (ß=-0.21, -0.24, respectively) and IL-6 and BMD of FN (ß=0.37). CONCLUSION: The study of biochemical and immunological markers in women with RA demonstrated that CRP, CCPA, PTH, IL-6, adiponectin, and leptin influenced BMD.

[Physical activity and nutritional status in women with rheumatoid arthritis and sarcopenic phenotype of body composition].

AIM: To assess physical activity (PA) and nutritional status and their relationship with the sarcopenic phenotype of body composition in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 104 women (mean age 59.5±8.7 years) with RA underwent clinical and laboratory examination, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The level of PA and nutritional status were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: Sarcopenic phenotype was diagnosed in 37.1% of patients. Moderate and low PA levels were detected in 44.2 and 7.8%, respectively, risk of malnutrition - in 50% of persons. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the sarcopenic phenotype were determined: the frequency of vigorous PA<3 times a week [odds ratio - OR 5.12 (95% confidence interval - CI 1.15-22.94); p=0.032], walking <1 hour a day [OR 4.98 (95% CI 1.14-21.74); p=0.033], risk of malnutrition by MNA [OR 4.13 (95% CI 1.12-15.32); p=0.034], body mass index <25 kg/m2 [OR 8.11 (95% CI 1.86-35.32); p=0.006] and daily calcium intake <500 mg [OR 4.62 (95% CI 1.06-20.08); p=0.041]. CONCLUSION: 52% of women with RA had moderate оr low PA levels, and 50% of patients were at risk of malnutrition. The risk of sarcopenic phenotype associated with a low frequency of vigorous PA, low walking time, risk of malnutrition, body mass index <25 kg/m2 and insufficient calcium intake.

[Phenotypes of body composition, physical performance and quality of life in women with rheumatoid arthritis].

AIM: To evaluate the frequency of different body composition phenotypes, physical performance (PP) and their relationship with quality of life in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 157 women (average age 58.68.8 years) with RA. Clinical and laboratory examination, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, quality of life assessment according to the questionnaires EQ-5D (European Quality of Life Questionnaire), HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and RAID (Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease), determination of muscle strength and the PP of skeletal muscles were carried out. RESULTS: Osteoporotic, sarcopenic and osteosarcopenic phenotypes of body composition were identified in 27 (17%), 16 (10%) and 16 (10%) patients, respectively; 139 (88.5%) people had low muscle strength, and 96 (61.1%) had reduced PP. Quality of life according to the EQ-5D index and RAID, the severity of depression according to HADS in women with different phenotypes of body composition did not differ. Women with osteosarcopenic phenotype had worse indicators for EQ-5D-VAS (VAS visual analog scale), and patients with sarcopenic phenotype had more severe anxiety according to the HADS questionnaire compared to those with normal phenotype (p=0.014 and p=0.027, respectively). The quality of life according to all questionnaires was significantly worse in patients with reduced PP. CONCLUSION: Pathological phenotypes of body composition were found in 37% of RA patients. A decrease in muscle strength was revealed in 88.5%, and a low PP in 61.1% of patients. The relationship between quality of life and body composition has not been established, at the same time quality of life associated with the PP of skeletal muscles.

[Frequency of sarcopenia and factors associated with lean mass in women with rheumatoid arthritis].

AIM: To evaluate the frequency of sarcopenia (SP) according to EWGSOP2 criteria and factors associated with low lean mass in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 79 women (aged 4075 years) with RA were enrolled in the study. We analyzed clinical data: age, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, methotrexate use, glucocorticoid use, anthropometric measurements, C-reactive protein level, disease activity score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, femur neck, total hip and body composition by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Also, muscle strength and functional tests were performed. We analyzed the correlation between disease parameters and low lean mass with the Spearman method. RESULTS: 73 (92%) patients had low muscle strength, 20 (25%) patients had low muscle strength and low lean mass, among them 9 (11%) also had functional disability. There was no correlation between the age of patients and the presence of SP, while the duration of RA in women with SP was significantly greater (p=0.006). There were significant correlations between lean mass and body mass index, glucocorticoids used, methotrexate doses, creatinine and urea acid serum concentration, bone mineral density and falls number. CONCLUSION: According EWGSOP2 confirmed sarcopenia was found in 25% RA patients, among them 11% women had severe sarcopenia. Lean mass correlated with the factors related to the disease itself and some general clinical parameters, which requires further study.

[The сhanges of bone mineral density on the risk of progression of osteoarthritis of the knee].

AIM: To find the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of knee OA progression in a 5-year prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 110 females with knee OA were examined twice with 5-year interval. Examination included filling questionnaires, VAS pain assessment, plain knee radiography and axial skeleton densitometry. I stage knee OA was established in 33 (30%) patients, II stage - in 46 (41.8%), III stage - in 26 (23.6%), and IV - in 5 (4.5%). Normal lumbar vertebrae densitometry BMD values were found in 45 patients (40.9%), osteopenia - corresponding BMD values - in 33 (30.0%), and osteoporosis - in 32 (29.1%). Normal femoral neck BMD values were identified in 60 (54.5%) patients, osteopenia - level BMD - in 48 (43.7%), osteoporosis - in 2 (1.8%). In all premenopausal patients (n=15) axial skeleton BMD values were normal. RESULTS: In 5-year interval radiographic progression was established in 40 patients (Group 2), while in 70 (Group 1) patients no progression occurred. Both groups were comparable in terms of age and disease duration, although, more patients from Group 2 tended to have normal baseline densitometry BMD values - both in lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck: 47.5% vs 37.1%, and 62.5% vs 44.3% as compared to Group 1 patients. Patients from Group 1 more often had BMD values corresponding to osteoporosis and osteopenia: 32.9% vs 22.5%, and 55.7% vs 37.5%, respectively, as compared to Group 2 patients, although not achieving statistical significance. These differences were still identifiable after 5-year interval. Absolute BMD values at the second examination in 5 years were indicative of statistically significant increase in femoral neck and total hip BMD in Group 2 patients with knee OA progression: 0.79±0.11 vs 0.73±0.16, р.

[Retroperitoneoscopic resection of the calyceal diverticulum wall in an 8-year-old child].

A renal calyceal diverticulum is a cystic cavity within the renal parenchyma, which is lined by transitional epithelium and communicates with the calyx or, more rarely, the renal pelvis. In children, this anomaly is extremely rare. The article describes the resection of the middle calyceal diverticulum in an 8-year-old child using retroperitoneoscopic access.

[Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerance of ibandronic acid in patients with osteoarthrosis in the knee joints concurrent with osteoporosis: a pilot study].

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of ibandronic acid (bonviva) in patients with osteoporosis (OP) concurrent with osteoarthrosis (OA) in the knee joints (KJ). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty female outpatients aged 56 to 77 years with postmonopausal OP and primary KJ OA were examined. All the patients took bonviva in a dose of 150 mg monthly during a year. RESULTS: During the treatment, the patients showed a significant reduction in the values of all components of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) (pain intensity from 51.7 +/- 11.6 to 34.6 +/- 20.7 mm, stiffness from 96.0 +/- 55.6 to 78.5 +/- 46.6 mm, and functional failure from 783.6 +/- 333.2 to 657.8 +/- 360.9 mm according to a visual analogue scale), the Oswestry disability index, as well as in the concentration of markers for bone resorption and cartilage degradation. The need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was stated to decrease. CONCLUSION: Bonviva therapy results in a significant reduction in pain, KJ stiffness, and locomotor functional failure in patients with gonoarthrosis.

[Efficacy and safety of bivalos therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Results of Russian multicenter trial].

AIM: To study effects of one-year therapy with bivalos on mineral bone density (MBD) of the spine in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), effects of bivalos (strontium ranelate) on MBD of the neck of the femur and femur, the levels of bone metabolism markers, quality of life, tolerance of long-term therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was made of 60 females aged 54-75 years with PMO. MBD was measured with x-ray absorptiometry in the vertebra and proximal femur. Bone markers in blood serum were detected by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: After a year of taking bivalos MBD in lumbar vertebra increased by 4.68 +/- 4.94%, in the neck of the femur--by 2.0 +/- 4.29%, in the proximal femur--by 3.10 +/- 3.34%. A significant 19.5% rise in bone alkaline phosphatase and a 16.5% fall in the level of CT were noted showing a stimulating effect of bivalos on bone formation and an inhibiting effect--on bone tissue resorption. Bivalos treatment raised quality of life of the patients: better motility, regress of depression, improved self-appraisal, decreased number of patients with pain in the spine, attenuated pain. The drug was well tolerated, unwanted effects arose in 15% patients, discontinuation of the drug because of toxicity occurred in 5%. Serious side effects were not observed. CONCLUSION: Strontium ranelate is effective in PMO and is well tolerated.

[Treatment of urethral fistulas in children with application of allogenic fibroblasts].

The study was aimed at upgrading the results of conservative treatment of children with urethral fistulas using methods of tissue engineering. A total of 126 operations for closure of urethral fistulas (UF) were made from 1986 to 2007. The patients were divided into four groups. A conservative therapy was given to 25 children of group 1 aged 5-15 years. Group 2 of 60 patients were operated according to Smith. 39 children entered group 3. They were treated conservatively with application of allogenic fibroblasts. In 1 child UF was closed by a combined method when application of fibroblasts was made upon the sutures. Use of cell technologies for closure of urethral fistulas demonstrates high efficacy of the method for conservative management of long urethral fistulas of a small diameter. Application of allogenic fibroblasts has definite indications and contraindications. In some cases it cannot be used for correction of postoperative complications. Adequate preoperative examination of the patients should be made to formulate optimal therapeutic policy.

[Impact of volumetric activity of radon on the concentration of air ions and on the power of electric field]. / Vliianie ob"emnoi aktivnosti radona na kontsentratsiiu aéroionov i napriazhennost' élektricheskogo polia.

This paper considers the impact of the volumetric activity of radon and its degradation products on the concentration of aeroions and on the strength of an electric field. The optimum range of the volumetric activity of this substance and its daughter degradation products, and their generated aeroions is substantiated. Technology has been developed for space- and time-combined measurements of the volumetric activity of radon, the density of radon flow from the ground surface, the concentration and mobility of negative and positive aeroions, and a difference in potentials of the electric component of atmospherics.

[Bone mineral density in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies]. / Mineral'naia plotnost' kostnoi tkani pri idiopaticheskikh vospalitel'nykh miopatiiakh.

The study was undertaken to examine the impact of glucocorticoid therapy (GCT) on mineral bone density (MBD) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Double-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine MBD of the vertebral column and proximal femur in 42 females (30 with the preserved menstrual cycle (PMC), 12 in postmenopause (PMP) with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). All the patients received GCT. A random population sample including 106 females aged 20 to 69 years formed a control group. MBD of the neck of the femur was significantly lower in patients from all age groups, in the lumbar vertebral column in young (20-29 years) and old (over 50 years) females than in the controls. The development of osteoporosis (OP) was more frequently observed in PMP females: OP in the lumbar spine was in 16.7 and 66.7% of the PMC and PMP females, respectively; that in the neck of the femur was in 11 and 33%. There was no relationship between MBD and the specific features of GCT, namely the duration, cumulative dose, and the maximum dose. There was a reduction in MBD in patients with PM/DM on GCT in all age groups, more frequently in PMP patients.

[Bone mineral density and risk factors for developing osteoporosis in bronchial asthma patients]. / Mineral'naia plotnost' kostnoi tkani i faktory riska razvitiia osteoporoza u bol'nykh bronkhialnoi astmoi.

AIM: To estimate mineral bone tissue density (MBTD) and risk factors for osteoporosis in patients with bronchial asthma (BA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 119 patients (48 males and 71 females) aged 18 to 49 years who had no diseases or states that can induce MBTD, except BA. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) those untreated with glucocorticoids (GC); 2) those who received inhaled GC; and 3) those who permanently took oral and inhaled GC. The patients underwent questionnaire survey, double-power X-ray absorption of the lumbar vertebral column and proximal femur, and X-ray study; forced expiratory volume per sec and peak expiratory function were measured. RESULTS: In Group 1 patients, there was a high incidence of osteopenia that increased with the severity of BA. About 2.5-year therapy with inhaled GC in large and small doses had no impact on MBTD. The prolonged use of systemic GC caused a marked reduction in MBTD and led to the development of osteoporetic fractures. Changes were detected in both the lumbar spine and proximal femur. In males and females, MBTD decreases were equal. MBTD correlated with the duration of GC therapy and with age at its initiation, but not with the daily dose of GC. In 15.4% of the patients, MBTD remained in the normal range despite the prolonged use of GC in large doses. Osteoporetic fractures were observed at the values of MBTD, which had not reached the stage of osteoporosis according to the WHO criteria, which was indicative of qualitative GC-induced bone tissue changes. CONCLUSION: GC is an important, but not alone, risk factor for osteoporosis in asthmatic patients. The high rate of low MBTD among the patients receiving no GC suggests that it is necessary to make an early diagnosis and to perform rational treatments.

[Determination of the dimensions of the heart in experimental animals using tomography based on the principle of nuclear magnetic resonance]. / Opredelenie razmerov serdtsa éksperimental'nykh zhivotnykh s pomoshch'iu tomografii, osnovannoi na printsipe iadernogo magnitnogo rezonansa.

A new method of tomography based on the principle of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR-tomography) was used to determine the heart size in experimental animals. The study involved 25 rabbits and NMR-tomograms of their hearts were obtained both in situ and on the isolated heart. The results obtained were compared with the morphometric findings. It was found that the values of the heart size determined by NMR-tomograms as compared with the morphometric values both in situ and on the isolated heart were very similar, showing no statistical difference. When the tomographic findings were compared with the morphometric data, the correlation coefficient for the thickness of the left ventricle wall was 0.64; for the short axis of the left ventricle 0.55; for the perimeter of the left ventricle 0.70, and for the total size of the heart it equalled 0.98. It is inferred that NMR-tomography is quite adequate for taking the necessary measurements of the heart with sufficient precision.