Daily temperature rhythms characteristic of patients with rheumathoid arthritis

The purpose. To study the characteristics of daily temperature rhythms in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.Materials and research method. A total of 120 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 30 clinically healthy volunteers (the control group) took part in the research. There was conducted daily monitoring of skin temperature (with a frequency measurement of every 5 minutes and an accuracy of ± 0,1 С) simultaneously in two pairs of symmetrical points: in the 3rd intercostal space along the mid-axillary line on the right and the left, in the area of large affected joint and the symmetrical joint without marked signs of inflammation. The unorthodox tool and temperature recording technique (temperature measurement in dynamics) were used (Patent of the Russian Federation № 2344750) [1].Diagnostic results and discussion. It was found that the average daily, day-time and night-time temperature values, as well as the maximum and minimum temperature values obtained from the affected area and its symmetrical joints were not statistically different in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, wherein they exceeded the values of clinically healthy individuals. The indicators in the 3rd intercostal space along the mid-axillary line in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were also higher than those in the comparison group. the following differences between the minimum daily and day-time temperature were registered in the joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy subjects: in the radiocarpal joint area the indices were exceeded by 2,9 and 2,8 С, respectively, in the ankle joint - by 4,7 and 4,0 С, in the knee joint - by 3,8 and 3,6 С. Between-group differences in the average daily and the average day-time temperature were revealed in the ankle region (by 1,1 and 1,5 С, respectively) and the knee joint (by 1,0 and 1,3 С).Conclusion. The body temperature in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is higher than that of healthy people: in the 3rd intercostal space along the mid-axillary line for all investigated characteristics; in the joints are for the minimum daily and day-time indicators and the average daily and day-time temperature.