[The history of the Kazan School of Therapists (on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Kazan State Medical University)].

The history of the Kazan School of Therapists numbers two centuries of scientific achievements and discoveries. German Professors F.H. Erdman and K.F. Fuks laid the groundwork for clinical teaching continued by Russian therapists N.A. Skandovsky, N.A. Vinogradov, A.P. Kazem-Bek, N.K. Goryaev, and other distinguished scientists. The prominent scientists of the 20th century made great contributions to the development of modern therapy; the names of M.N. Cheboksarov, Z.I. Malkin, A.G. Teregulov, and I.G. Salikhov are known and they are respected by the world medical public.

[Osteoarthrosis and peripheral vein diseases of lower extremities: characteristics of concomitant pathology].

AIM: To estimate the prevalence and impact of lower extremity peripheral vein diseases on the course of articular syndrome in osteoarthrosis (OA), to reveal the specific features of concomitant pathology, and to substantiate the necessity of its therapeutic correction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight patients with the valid diagnosis of OA (by the American College of Pheumatology criteria) were followed up. Their mean age was 56.4 +/- 9.6 years. Lower extremity peripheral vein diseases were detected in 51.3% of the patients with OA, which permitted identification of 2 patient groups comparable for the major parameters. During the examination, the clinical parameters of articular syndrome were assessed at the start and 2 months after therapy. RESULTS: The higher intensity of the pain syndrome, lowered functional activity, and more common synovitis were observed in the patients with concomitant diseases of joints and veins as compared with those without signs of venous insufficiency. After therapeutic measures, joint pain, synovitis, and lower functional activity persisted in the patients with concomitant diseases. Reexamination showed that most patients with concomitant pathology needed analgesic therapy; in Group 2 without a history of vein diseases, the dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) could be halved in 21 (27.3%) patients; 37 (48.0%) patients were in no need of continuous use of NSAID. CONCLUSION: Impaired peripheral venous blood flow reduces the efficiency of therapy for OA, which makes it necessary to timely detect lower extremity varices and to perform goal-oriented therapy in such patients.

[New potentialities in symptom-modifying therapy of osteoarthrosis].

AIM: To examine efficacy and tolerance of the drug Bora-Bora in patients with osteoarthrosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bora-Bora and nimesulid were given to 20 patients with a verified diagnosis of osteoarthrosis (OA). 20 control patients received nimesulid alone. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by quantitative parameters of articular syndrome, indices of periarticular muscles affection estimated before the treatment, 2, 6 and 8 weeks after the start of the treatment. Ultrasonic investigation of the joints and periarticular tissues was conducted before and after the treatment course. RESULTS: The response to Bora-Bora was seen on day 10 of therapy. Bora-Bora attenuated pain syndrome in the joints and periarticular tissues, improved joint function more effectively than nimesulid (p < 0.05). Bora-Bora is a good anelgetic. It is well tolerated and can be recommended for OA treatment.