Retrospective population-based survey in 2 regions of the Republic of Moldova determined the incidence of fractures at the hip, proximal humerus and distal forearm. The estimated number of such fractures nationwide for 2015 was 11,271 and is predicted to increase to 15,863 in 2050. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX model to help guide decisions about treatment. Objective This paper describes the epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures in Republic of Moldova that was used to develop the country-specific fracture prediction FRAX® tool. Methods We carried out a retrospective population-based survey in 2 regions of the Republic of Moldova (Anenii Noi district and Orhei district) representing approximately 6% of the country's population. We identified hip, forearm and humerus fractures in 2011 and 2012 from hospital registers and primary care sources. Age-and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Moldova. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from neighbouring countries having FRAX models. Results The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 3911 and is predicted to increase by 60% to 6492 in 2050. Hip fracture incidence was a good predictor of forearm and humeral fractures. FRAX-based probabilities were higher in Moldova than neighbouring countries (Ukraine and Romania). Conclusion The FRAX model should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability among the Moldavan population and help guide decisions about treatment.

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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. To date, clinical manifestations, laboratory changes and the results of instrumental examinations of the joints and spine in axial seronegative spondyloarthritis (aSpA) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis have not been fully elucidated. Purpose of the study: evaluation of clinical manifestations features, diagnosis, and evolution of seronegative spondyloarthritis associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection. Objectives of the study: To compare clinical manifestations, changes in laboratory parameters, results of instrumental examinations of the joints and spine in seronegative spondyloarthritis, the axial, peripheral, and mixed form. To appreciate the significance of Chlamydia trachomatis in the development of SpA by detecting the presence of DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time and by isothermal amplification of NASBA-PCR (Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification). Material and methods. During 2015-2021 were examined 138 patients with SpA hospitalized in the Republican Clinical Hospital „Timofei Moşneaga”. Chlamydia trachomatis in the form of monoinfection was detected in 87 (6.3%) patients, of which 52 (59.8%) were women and 35 (40.2%) men. Results. The results of the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in patients with arthritis: Chlamydia trachomatis infection was detected in 78 (89.7%) out of 87 patients examined by PCR, and in 9 (10.3%) cases by ELISA. The peripheral form begins mainly with inflammation of the joints of the lower extremities (81.8%), of which the knee joints are mainly involved in the pathological process (63.6%). SpA axial form associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection occurs mainly in young men (85.7%). In more than half of the patients, large joints participate in the pathological process (58.8%), especially the lower extremities. The axial variant of the SpA can begin with an injury in any part of the spine. Discussions. SpA associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection has more expressed clinical, laboratory and instrumental manifestations both in the onset and in the advanced stage of the disease.

Introduction PsA are included in the group of HLA-B27-associated joint diseases, united in the group of seronegative spondylitis (SSA). At the same time, this disease differs from ankylosing spondylitis and other spondylitis with a particularly diverse clinical picture and the existence of only the syndromes inherent in it, for example, intermittent synovitis, palindromic rheumatism or mutilating arthritis. Purpose of the study Research of clinical heterogeneity of early psoriatic arthritis and the possibility of early diagnosis. Materials and methods The current study included 104 patients with PsA who were admitted to the rheumatology and arthrology departments of the Republican Clinical Hospital „Timofei Moşneaga” from 2003 to October 2021. Results The frequency of expression of individual clinico-anatomical variants of joint syndrome was different in patients with PsA-e and PsA-t (in PsA-e compared to PsA-t, the oligoarticular variant was significantly more likely to be observed (43.1% and 19%, respectively, p=0.01) and less often the variant of spondyloarthritis (7.8% and 19%, p=0.1), while the variant of polyarthritis (33.3% and 38%, p = 0,6) and distal interphalangeal (15,7% and 15%, p=0,9) were detected with the same frequency, as regards the mutilating variant, this was observed only in PsA-t. Conclusions The early stage of psoriatic arthritis is characterized by pronounced heterogeneity of manifestations of joint syndrome and damage to the tendon-ligament apparatus. In PsA-e oligoarthritis and polyarticular variants are the most common, less often - distal interphalangeal and spondyloarthritic. In the first 3 months after the onset of clinical manifestations of PsA, oligoarthritis was observed in 75.4% of patients and polyarthritis in 14% (p=0.0001), and after 6 months - 63% and 26.6% respectively (p=0.001). With a progression of the duration of the disease, the number of patients with arthritis increased, and by the end of the 2nd year was determined in 47.6% of patients, and oligoarthritis - in 28.6%.