Vol. 6, Issue 1 (2017)

Material and methods: Dynamic observations conducted in 90 patients aged 37-76 years with OA of the first-third radiographic stages by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L). Methods: clinical, ELISA (interleukins 1β, 4, tumor necrosis factor α), biochemical, instrumental ones.

Results: It was found that patients in the age group of 50 years had manifestations of oligoosteoarthritis of the first-second stages by K-L, as well as 2-3 comorbid diseases with moderate symptoms. The patients of the age group 51-60 years were suffering from polyosteorthritis with moderate symptoms and from 4-5 comorbid diseases 4-5 in more than two systems. In patients aged over 60, OA became more systemic, it was mainly of the third radiographic stage by K-L, there were 6-8 comorbid diseases, dominated by those of the cardiovascular system and metabolism. All age groups showed an increasing imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as inflammatory markers and their worse reversibility during the treatment. The most negative influence on the symptoms of reversibility torpidity of these changes was observed in comorbid second-third degree obesity, type 2 diabetes and in OA of the third stage by K-L.

Conclusions: Patients suffering from OA, while ageing, are experiencing more systemic and pronounced changes in their joints, in the number and severity of comorbid diseases. These phenomena are accompanied by a progressing imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as inflammatory markers rates and are characterized by an increasing resistance to reversibility during the treatment.