[Acid-base balance parameters of the synovial fluid in patients with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis]

To study changes in acid-base balance (ABB) of synovial fluid (SF) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in respect of the disease duration, clinical symptoms and treatment.

The examination of verified RA patients included clinical, x-ray, immunological and special tests. The patients received nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs, 2 weeks later--physiotherapy followed by 10-day basic treatment (tauredon, methotrexate or cyclophosphamide).

Before the treatment, SF acidotic shift was found in all the patients. The shift correlated with activity of the inflammation, serologic affiliation to the rheumatoid factor, presence of systemic manifestations, x-ray signs of the articular changes in response to the treatment. Attenuation of the inflammatory process accompanies an increase in SF acidotic shift. In administration of methotrexate SF pH was higher than in the use of other drugs.

Adjuvant ABB correctors are recommended for RA patients.