[Mechanisms of formation of morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis: the role of segmentary vegetative disturbances].
OBJECTIVE
To study function of the segmental part of the autonomic nervous system as shown by mm interossei dorsalis excitability threshold (ET) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of different activity and under morning stiffness.


METHODS
The ET was studied in 38 healthy subjects (control group) and 111 RA patients using a diagnostic electric acupuncture device "Prognosis-6".


RESULTS
Mm. interossei dorsalis ET rise was registered in 84.7% RA patients. A step-by-step (4 clusters) increase in hand muscle rheobase was seen demonstrating influence of inflammation activity on muscular ET. In morning stiffness, weak current failed to register ET of the studied muscles in RA patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The disturbed neuromuscular transmission present segmental vegetative mechanisms of morning stiffness formation in RA.
Ulanova
E A
EA
Grigor'ev
I V
IV
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index