The aim: To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of measles, as well as to compare the course of this disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated children in the Poltava region (Ukraine). Materials and methods: 104 inpatients with measles were examined: vaccinated (n=27) and unvaccinated (n=77). The patient examination program included: assessment of complaints and anamnestic data obtained by questioning (during admission to hospital treatment, during treatment and after discharge) and detailed analysis of medical records (Form № 003/у), physical examination, general clinical study of peripheral blood. Statistical processing of the study results was carried out by methods of variation statistics using the program «SPSS 17.0». Results: The clinical and laboratory picture of measles in the examined patients is typical for this disease. Measles vaccinated children are significantly less likely to have fever (р=0.001) and Koplik’s spots (χ2=3.80, р=0.051), the duration of fever (р=0.001), cough (р=0.000), and the length of hospital stay (р=0.000), as well as 3.0 times less often leukopenia is detected (р=0.043) and 2.0 times less often − acceleration of ESR (р=0.023). Conclusions: The obtained data raise the question of expanding the explanatory work on the importance of a full course of preventive vaccination among children, as well as increasing the volume of public procurement of necessary drugs to increase public access to free vaccination.

The aim: To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of measles, as well as to compare the course of this disease in vaccinated and unvaccinated children in the Poltava region (Ukraine). Materials and methods: 104 inpatients with measles were examined: vaccinated (n=27) and unvaccinated (n=77). The patient examination program included: assessment of complaints and anamnestic data obtained by questioning (during admission to hospital treatment, during treatment and after discharge) and detailed analysis of medical records (Form № 003/у), physical examination, general clinical study of peripheral blood. Statistical processing of the study results was carried out by methods of variation statistics using the program «SPSS 17.0». Results: The clinical and laboratory picture of measles in the examined patients is typical for this disease. Measles vaccinated children are significantly less likely to have fever (р=0.001) and Koplik’s spots (χ2=3.80, р=0.051), the duration of fever (р=0.001), cough (р=0.000), and the length of hospital stay (р=0.000), as well as 3.0 times less often leukopenia is detected (р=0.043) and 2.0 times less often − acceleration of ESR (р=0.023). Conclusions: The obtained data raise the question of expanding the explanatory work on the importance of a full course of preventive vaccination among children, as well as increasing the volume of public procurement of necessary drugs to increase public access to free vaccination.

Background. Cardiovascular manifestations are rated first among the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Since the highest prevalence of both coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypothyroidism is observed in the age group over 50 years old, the problem of combination of these nosologies in older people is increasing. Aim of the study is to investigate the structural and functional state of the left ventricular myocardium in hypothyroidism and CHD associated with chronic systemic inflammation. Materials and methods. To reach the objectives of the study, a randomized controlled clinical trial has been conducted in parallel groups of patients with hypothyroidism, CHD and combination of both. To form the main group, a screening analysis of 556 medical histories of patients with hypothyroidism and CHD during the period of 2006–2015 has been made, which were selected for further study. Results. It has been found that myocardial hypertrophy develops in all groups of patients, a decrease in thyroid function leads to remodeling of the left ventricular myocardium with the development of eccentric hypertrophy and the progression of systolic heart failure in comorbidity. A direct correlation between reduced ejection fraction and elevated interleukin-8 level has been detected. Evaluation of the state of chronic systemic inflammation revealed a significant increase in the level of interleukin-8 in patients with coronary heart disease associated with hypothyroidism (7.66 ± 2.18 pg/ml; p < 0.05). This indicate that the persistence of pro-inflammatory state in patients with combined pathology is a negative prognostic factor for the development of cardiovascular complications. Conclusion. During echocardioscopy of patients with hypothyroidism, the impaired central hemodynamics can be determined by the indicators of the diastolic and systolic heart function. In patients with isolated hypothyroidism and in combination with coronary heart disease, thickening of the left ventricular myocardial walls is noted, which proves the specificity of changes in the heart geometry that leads to the development of eccentric hypertrophy. This can be considered as the marker of a “hypothyroid” heart whose severity can determine the severity of hypothyroidism. Activation of chronic systemic inflammation is more pronounced in conditions of comorbidity, with a negative prognostic effect on the state of the cardiovascular system.