Lebets I. Peculiarities of the Present-day Course of Chronic Arthrites in Adolescents (clinical picture, diagnosis, therapy)

There have been studied 343 patients aged 10-18 with chronic arthrites (CA) of various origin with the aim of perfection diagnosing, treatment and clinical observation of teen-agers. Clinical, genetic and laboratory methods of investigation have been used for studuing the immunity, connective tissue (CT) structures and calcium metabolism findings as well as the contens sex steroids, lysosomal and cytolitic ferments, microcircylation findings. There have been established certain peculiarities in CT metabolism, in microcirculation and in the course of CA during puberty. Associative relationships between the disseases and genetic markers have been determined. The mechanisms of non-rheumatoid CA development have been specified and the role of sex steroids in the character of immunologic and CT metabolism disorders has been revealed. Differentially diagnosing and prognostic algorithms have been worked out. Certain propositions concerning differential treatment of non-rheumatoid CA and adolescents clinical observation have been obtained. The data obtained were applied with positive results in practical work of pediatric rheumatologic establishments.