Objectives. Early establishment of arthritis in PsA based on clinical data and ultrasound examination. Material and methods. The study was conducted between 2019-2023, in the rheumatology and arthrology departments of the Timofei Moşneaga Republican Clinical Hospital, or treated in outpatient. In order to meet the requirements of the study, 100 people were examined, including 70 patients with PsA. Results. In patients with PsA the most common changes were an increase in the amount of intra-articular fluid and the proliferation of the synovial membrane. In total, fluid was detected in 293 out of 3,232 joints (9.1%). Conclusions. Ultrasound is a highly informative method in detecting a wide range of morphological changes in the joints of patients with PsA. The highest index of sensitivity appeared when inflammatory fluid, cartilage changes, osteophytes and tenosynovitis were detected.

Background: Despite the progress made in the study of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, their early diagnosis and treatment for practicing physicians continue to be a difficult problem. Material and methods: 100 people were examined, including 70 patients with psoriatic arthritis aged between 18 and 60 years (23 men and 47 women), admitted to the rheumatology and arthrology departments of the Timofei Mosneaga Republican Clinical Hospital 2019-2022 (Favorable opinion of the Committee for Research Ethics, No 21 of 21.12.2019). The control group included 30 people with rheumatoid arthritis. Results: Ultrasound signs of damage to the joint structures were detected, such as synovitis (p=0.26), cartilage changes (p=0.433), enthesopathy (p=0.980) and tenosynovitis, statistically significant differences (p=0.800). Magnetic resonance imaging determined that fluid was the predominant symptom in frequency (n=13, 92.86%), including in the small joints of the hands (n=1, 100%) and feet (n=2, 100%). Conclusions: In large joints, the proliferation of the synovial membrane was detected in 51.67% of the joints and had predominantly high echogenicity. At small joints, synovial proliferation with predominantly low echogenicity occurred only in 6.1% of the joints.

Introduction. Gout in elderly patients is characterized a pronounced comorbid background [2,8-10], which causes difficulties in their management [9]. Objectives of the study. Analysis of the comorbid background for gout in different age groups. Identification of risk factors characteristics, the onset and evolution of gout in elderly people compared to middle-aged patients. Material and methods. To achieve the goal of the cross-sectional study, 237 patients with gout (average age for the men 60±8.0 years and for the women 63±9.0 years) were examined. Results. The patients were separated into two groups, depending on the age of onset of gout: the age of onset up to and including 59 years (group I, 146 people) and the age of onset after 60 years inclusive (group II, 91 people). The average age in group I was 58.1±11.7 years, in group II - 72.8±4.1 years (p<0,1). Conclusions. The average number of concomitant diseases is 2 times higher in the group of gout patients aged 60 years and older (4.0 [3.0; 5.0]) than in the group of patients with gout under the age of 59 years inclusive (2.0 [2.0;3.0], p <0,1), in patients with the onset of gout at the age of 59 years inclusive, the development of coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and nephrolithiasis occurs significantly earlier than in patients with the onset of gout at the age of 60 years and older (48,4±6,9 years and 59,1±5,0 years; 53,6 ± 3,4 years and 65,6±9,0 years; 37,3±8,9 years and, respectively, 54,9±14,6 years, p<0,05 in all cases).

Introduction. Osteitis condensans ilii (OCI) is a condition characterized by benign sclerosis of the iliac bone in the portion adjacent to the sacroiliac joints, which is radiologically manifested by triangular opacities at the level of this portion. Among the clinical manifestations, localized low back or lumbosacral pain is often attested, which is found in the gestational or post-partum period. The pain may worsen during physical exertion or during menstruation and may be accompanied by myalgia. Material and methods. The epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical data were used to highlight this study, followed by the conclusions of multidisciplinary specialists, retrieved from the inpatient medical records of 3 women with OCI, who were admitted for diagnosis and treatment. Results. 3 cases of imaging-determined OCI will be presented, which were initially diagnosed with seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA). Through them, we would determine the varieties between the OIC forms and their differential diagnosis with SpA. The results of the lab tests do not reveal specific changes, so the markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were normal. Also, unlike SpA, the marker HLA-B27 is in most cases negativ Conclusions. According to the results of the presented clinical cases, OCI is often confused with sacroiliitis, which leads to misdiagnosing and erroneous treatment tactics. Thus, in order to establish a true diagnosis, it is necessary to collect a detailed history, perform a comprehensive objective examination, which includes the character of the pain and its triggers, the lack of inflammatory lab markers and the radiological presence of the sclerosis areas at the level of the iliac bone, not involving the sacroiliac joints.