Rheumatoid arthritis with systemic manifestations: its diagnosis and clinical aspects

A total of 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with systemic manifestations were investigated on the basis of a joint program in the Institute of Rheumatology, AMS, USSR, and in the Polyclinic Medical Institute (Leipzig), GDR. RA systemic manifestations were described, their diagnostic signs presented. Modern instrumental methods for the detection of RA manifestations before the development of their clinical picture (echocardiography, computed tomography, electrophysiological methods for a study of the peripheral nervous system) were assessed. Analysis of correlations between various RA manifestations and laboratory findings permitted the detection of peculiarities of the onset and a course of disease in the study group. The results will contribute to the early detection of systemic RA manifestations.