Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, which are defined as separate phenotypes of the disease. Despite the universality of immunopathological reactions, which are based on the formation of anti-nuclear antibodies and antibodies to native DNA, the spectrum and severity of immunological disorders in individual phenotypes are different. The role of type I interferons (IFN) in the SLE pathogenesis has now been proven. Hypersecretion of IFN-α and IFN-β leads to the production of antibodies against the components of the cell nucleus through activation of the native and adaptive immunity system. The current treatment strategy provides for achieving remission or low activity with immunosuppressants, including selective ones, such as biological agents. According to the updated international recommendations, anifrolumab, monoclonal antibodies against type I IFN, which has demonstrated high efficacy in the treatment of SLE with skin-mucous and joint lesions., can be used for the treatment of SLE along with rituximab and belimumab. The article presents our own clinical observation on the analysis of the effecacy and safety of anifrolumab in the treatment of a young patient with high-activity SLE and pronounced skin manifestations. It was shown that after the first injections of the drug, there was a rapid dynamics of skin and joint syndrome, the activity of SLE decreased from maximum to minimum according to the SELENA-SLEDAI index. The results obtained confirm the rationale of including anifrolumab in the treatment regimen in cases of insufficient previous therapy.

Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess frequency and severity of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD).

Patients and methods. The study included information on the presence or absence of COVID-19 in the medical history of 9185 patients with immunoinflammatory RD (IIRD) and 491 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who were observed at the V. A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology from September 21, 2021 to December 28, 2023.

Results. The incidence of COVID-19 in the analyzed IIRD was significantly higher compared to OA (p<0.02). All IIRD included in the analysis are characterized by an increased risk of COVID-19 incidence when compared with OA by 1.7–3.5 times. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren's disease, systemic sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, microcrystalline arthritis, ANCA- associated vasculitis and poly/dermatomyositis were significantly more likely (p<0.009) to receive COVID-19 therapy compared with the control group. Patients with these diseases are characterized by an increased risk of treatment for COVID-19 by 1.7–6.5 times compared with OA. Also, patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and systemic vasculitis (SV) were hospitalized with COVID-19 more often than patients with OA (p=0.013, p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). Patients with IJD, CTDs and SV are characterized by an increased risk of hospitalization with COVID-19 by 3.5–6.8 times compared with OA. In addition, elderly patients with IIRD are characterized by an increasing risk of treatment, hospitalization and use of biologics or targeted synthetic disease-modifying drugs for COVID-19.

Conclusion. According to the data obtained, the problem of COVID-19 remains very significant for patients with RD. This dictates the need to continue studying risk factors for adverse outcomes of the disease and vaccine prevention of this infectious pathology.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a radiation diagnostic method that is used in rheumatology to verify microcrystalline arthritis, but in Russia this method is little known and the experience of its use is rather scarce.

Objective of the research. To analyze the experience of using DECT in patients with undifferentiated arthritis and lesions of the axial skeleton in clinical practice.

Material and Methods. The retrospective study included 20 patients (14 men and 6 women) observed at the V. A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology, who underwent DECT for diagnostic purposes. 13 patients with undifferentiated arthritis underwent DECT of peripheral joints to diagnose gout; 7 patients with an established diagnosis of gout (based on the 2015 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for gout) – to clarify the genesis of lesions to the axial joints and spine. The study was performed on a Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash computed tomograph.

Results. Using DECT in patients with undifferentiated arthritis, deposits of monosodium urate crystals (MSUc) were detected in 7 out of 13 (54 %), which made it possible to verify the diagnosis of gout. In the second sample, 6 out of 7 patients (85 %) showed signs of MSUc deposition on DECT, which explained the genesis of the existing complaints. Among these 6 patients, in 1 person, DECT revealed the presence of MSUc and calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the shoulder joint, which made it possible to make two diagnoses at once – gout and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

Conclusion. DECT in patients with undifferentiated arthritis makes it possible to verify the diagnosis of gout in more than half of the cases (54 %). In 85 % of patients with gout and pain in the back and axial joints of unknown origin, urate deposits are detected according to DECT. This method may be a useful tool for identifying microcrystalline arthritis of the axial joints, but further research is needed to implement the method in routine practice.

The results of a study on the effectiveness of the injectable chondroprotector Ambene® Bio in the treatment of patients with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine and pain in the lower back are presented. The program involved 30 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and/ or spondyloarthritis, facet syndrome, osteochondrosis in the acute stage (severe symptoms: pain according to VAS 40–90 mm). All patients were prescribed the chondroprotector Ambene® Bio in the regimen of 2 ml every other day No. 10.

Results. During treatment with the injectable chondroprotector Ambene® Bio for 20 days, it was possible to significantly reduce the manifestations of the target nosologies, restore the ability to move and self-care, improve the psycho-emotional state of patients, while reducing the need for NSAIDs.

Conclusions. A short course of therapy with Ambene® Bio contributed to the effective treatment of study participants due to the synergism of the unique composition of biologically active substances. The study demonstrated a high safety profile and good tolerability of the therapy.

Increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in serum and synovial fluid plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. JAK inhibitors and bDMARD are aimed at suppressing various pathological reactions caused by them.

The aim of the study. To determine the effect of therapy with JAK and IL-6 inhibitors on the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in RA patients in real clinical practice.

Materials and methods. The study included 30 patients with a reliable diagnosis of RA, advanced stage of disease, with moderate or high RA activity and ineffectiveness of previous therapy with csDMARD or bDMARD for at least 6 months. 10 patients received TOFA at a dose of 5 mg twice daily 10 received UPA at a dose of 15 mg once daily and 10 were on OKZ therapy at a dose of 64 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks. Studies were performed before treatment, after 3 and 6 months of therapy. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-23, IL-31, IL-33, INF-γ, TNF-α in serum were investigated using multiplex xMAR technology on Bio-PlexTM 200 System analyser (BIO-RAD, USA).

Results. In all groups of patients after 3 and 6 months from the start of therapy, there was a significant decrease in the RA activity index compared to baseline values. The concentration of IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-23 did not change significantly during treatment with any of the drugs. IL-6 values on TOFA background significantly decreased after 3 and 6 months of follow-up compared to the baseline level. UPA therapy had no effect on IL-6 level during the whole observation period, and against the background of OKZ application its values significantly increased after 3 months, and after 6 months – decreased, remaining higher than the initial values. The concentration of IL-31 after 3 months of TOFA treatment significantly decreased (respectively: 6.95 (3.85; 17.72) pg/ml and 3.00 (1.50; 3.85) pg/ml, p<0.05), and after 6 months – increased, but remained lower than baseline (5.09 (3.85; 6.33) pg/ml, p<0.05). IL-33 level on the background of UPA decreased and after 6 months was significantly lower than baseline (1.11 (0.86; 3.95) pg/ ml; 1.05 (0.37; 3.95) and 0.37 (0.12; 1.23) pg/ml, p<0.05). The concentration of INF-γ after 3 and 6 months of TOFA administration decreased significantly compared to the start of therapy (2.05 (1.48; 3.19) pg/ml; 0.99 (0.49; 2.05) pg/ml and 0.99 (0.49; 2.62) pg/ml, p<0.05). Treatment with OKZ resulted in increased TNF-α levels after 6 months compared to baseline values of 0.79 (0.41; 0.98) pg/ml and 1.23 (0.67; 2.06) pg/ml, p<0.05.

Conclusions. The use of TOFA, UPA and OKZ in RA patients has a positive effect on disease activity, but has different effects on the level of proinflammatory cytokines in serum.

Purpose of the study. To evaluate the character of pain syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in correlation with the course of the disease and comorbid pathology.

Material and methods. Sixty-six patients with a verified diagnosis of RA were examined. Of them 84.9% were women (n=56) and 15.1% men (n=10). The median age was 59 [52; 63] years. Disease activity was assessed by DAS28-CRP, with a median of 5.2 [4.54; 6.0]. Patients with moderate (31.8%) and high activity (57.5%) predominated. Disease duration averaged Me 156 [93; 246] months. Seropositive RA was suffered by 89.3% of patients. The distribution by radiological stage was as follows: 2 radiological stage – 36.3% (n=24), 3 radiological stage – 30.3% (n=20), 4 radiological stage – 33.4% (n=22). Baseline anti-inflammatory therapy was taken by 84.8% of patients (n=56), genetically engineered biological drugs were received by 28.7% (n=16). To assess the multicomponent nature of pain syndrome, the following were used: Pain Detect questionnaire — to verify neuropathic pain (NP), CSI questionnaire — to verify central sensitisation (CS). The EQ-5D-3L questionnaire was used to assess quality of life, and the Charlson index was used to assess comorbid pathology. Structural changes were assessed by modified Sharpe method on hand and foot radiographs, synovium vascularisation was assessed by joint ultrasound.

Results. 84.8% of patients had pain syndrome of mixed nature. NP correlated with pain intensity by VAS (rSp=0.458, p<0.001), DAS28-CRP (rSp=0.509, p<0.001), number of peripheral arthritis (rSp=0, 414, p<0.001), number of comorbidities (rSp=0.337, p=0.006), Charlson index (rSp=0.323, p=0.009), EQ-5D-3L (rSp= –0.268, p=0.031). CS–with VAS pain intensity (rSp=0.250, p=0.045), DAS28-CRP (rSp=0.251, p=0.044), number of painful joints (rSp=0.353, p=0.004), number of comorbidities (rSp=0.368, p=0.003), BMI (rSp=0.266, p=0.032), systolic blood pressure level (rSp=0.403, p<0.001), number of erosions on hand and foot radiographs (rSp= –0.299, p=0.016), EQ-5D-3L (rCp= –0.408, p<0.001). Patients with the presence of synovial vascularization by ultrasound had three-component pain in more than half of cases, and the combination of inflammatory pain and CS did not occur in them.

Conclusions. 84.8% of patients had multicomponent pain, with pain associated only with clinical parameters of disease activity. Associated pathology and local chronic inflammation in the joint potentiate the development of other types of pain and have a mutual negative influence.

Takayasu arteritis (AT) is a systemic vasculitis of large vessels. As a rule, AT develops in patients under 50 years of age and is characterized by vasculitis, often granulomatous, with a predominant lesion of the aorta and/or its main branches. The article describes a clinical case of a patient with bilateral lesions of the renal arteries caused by AT, who underwent kidney autotransplantation. The first manifestations of psoriasis in the patient occurred after psychological stress 15 years after surgery. The described clinical observation of multi-stage surgical treatment of Takayasu arteritis, which ended favorably, is presented by us in order to demonstrate the capabilities of modern medical technologies in both diagnosis and surgical treatment of multi-vessel lesions in Takayasu arteritis. The combination of AT and psoriasis is a rare pathology, the problems of diagnosis and treatment of which require further study.

The problem of the combination of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is interdisciplinary. Modern approaches to studying this issue among rheumatologists and gastroenterologists are somewhat different. The combination of these two pathologies is a potential factor for a more severe course of these diseases. The article provides an overview of some markers that have shown high specificity in the diagnosis of AS and IBD

Osteopoikilia (OPC) is a rare, benign autosomal dominant disease characterized by sclerotic bone lesions, which usually proceeds asymptomatically. It is usually diagnosed by accident with conventional radiography. In most patients, the disease is asymptomatic, but some may complain of mild joint pain and swelling. Differential diagnoses of the disease include osteoblastic metastases, primary bone tumor, mastocytosis, tuberous sclerosis, synovial chondromatosis and melanostasis. In the literature, we have found reports of the coexistence of OPC with rheumatological diseases such as fibromyalgia, reactive arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondyloarthritis. Thus, the clinical case we observed is interesting not only from the standpoint of the importance of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but also the timeliness of starting treatment, which affects the prognosis of the disease.

Objective. Rheumatoid Arthritis may onset with ocular manifestations. The purpose of our work was presentation of clinical case of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis with an eye lesion.

Materials and methods. A clinical case of rheumatoid arthritis with an atypical onset was analyzed. As well, a search and review of relevant literature was performed.

Results. Patient with rheumatoid arthritis got bilateral ulcerous keratitis, refractory to conventional treatment and complicated by bilateral corneal perforation with iris prolapse. Due to the atypical clinical course of ophthalmic lesions being insusceptible of medical treatment, the patient was examined further. Laboratory immunological workup revealed positive rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP and anti-MCV antibodies. The typical symmetric presentation of arthritis developed 8 months after the onset of ophthalmic disorders. Baseline therapy of rheumatoid arthritis has demonstrated efficacy both in controlling the joint manifestations and preventing relapse of keratitis.

Conclusion. The development of eye syndrome may precede articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. While managing patients with recurrent bilateral keratitis, rheumatologic pathology should be suspected.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is able to participate in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases, actively maintains chronic inflammation and stimulates the systemic immune response. The virulence factor of H. pylori is cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) is associated with more severe inflammatory reactions, increased risk of poor clinical outcomes and is able to influence the efficacy of infection eradication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Purpose of the study. To evaluate laboratory parameters of H. pylori eradication efficacy in RA patients with chronic infection with the strain encoding cytotoxin-associated gene A.

Materials and methods. Forty women with RA and confirmed chronic H. pylori infection were included in the study (mean age 55.5±8.7 years; mean disease duration 13.9±9.1 years; DAS-28–3.96±0.56). CagA-IgG associated H. pylori infection was diagnosed in 22 (group I, CagA+) and not diagnosed in 18 (group II, CagA-) patients. All RA patients underwent a course of H. pylori eradication therapy.

Results. The process of H. pylori eradication had the most significant effect on laboratory parameters of CagA-negative RA patients (group II). In this group the levels of rheumatoid factor (p=0,028), C-reactive protein (CRP, p=0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6, p=0.002), tumor necrosis factor alpha (p=0,023), angiopoietinlike protein type 3 (p=0.026) and antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACCP, p=0,016) decreased significantly. In patients from group I (CagA+) most parameters remained practically unchanged (p>0.05), except for CRP (p=0.01) and IL-6 (p=0.011). In the short term, the success of eradication in CagA+ patients was significantly lower than in CagA- patients (p=0.033). Moreover, confirmation of successful eradication of H. pylori within the established period of time was extremely rare (p=0.009) in the combination of CagA+ and high titers of ACCP and antibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin.

Conclusions. The effectiveness of H. pylori eradication in RA patients depends on the presence of chronic infection with the strain encoding the cytotoxin-associated gene A and the level of antibodies to citrullinated proteins, which should be taken into account when choosing the therapeutic effect on H. pylori in this group.